Owners of Peanut the Squirrel file lawsuit against New York State over pet's death

The owners of Peanut the Squirrel have filed a notice to sue New York State over the death of their pet. They allege unlawful search and seizure, claiming the state acted negligently during a raid that led to Peanut's death. Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner argue that Peanut and their raccoon, Fred, were companion animals, not wild animals, and that the state failed to follow due process. They contend the animals were "executed" without proper justification. The couple seeks damages for emotional distress, pain and suffering, and lost wages due to Peanut's online popularity. Their case has sparked calls for an investigation into the state's actions during the incident.