The death of Peanut the Squirrel and the controversy surrounding his owner Mark Longo's JUSTICE meme coin have sparked debates over government overreach and the ethical practices of cryptocurrency. Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner, Peanut's owners, have officially filed a notice of intent to sue the State of New York. They allege violations of constitutional rights, unlawful seizure, and negligence after their beloved pet squirrel and raccoon, Fred, were euthanized during a government raid on their home.
Longo and Bittner claim that New York officials failed to inform a judge of their intention to euthanize the animals during the raid. They argue that Peanut and Fred were recognized as companion animals under the law and were not given a fair opportunity for proper quarantine or legal assessment. "There was no legitimate basis to believe the animals had rabies," they stated in their notice, emphasizing that a 10-day quarantine could have been sufficient instead of euthanasia.
The couple described the government's actions as reckless and unjustified, asserting that they were in the process of obtaining wildlife rehabilitation licenses before the raid. "We acted in good faith," Longo and Bittner said, calling the raid and subsequent deaths of Peanut and Fred an abuse of power. They are seeking damages for emotional distress, constitutional violations, and lost wages, citing Peanut's online presence as a significant source of supplemental income.
The case has drawn public attention, with many criticizing the government's handling of the situation. The incident even caught the attention of politicians, who have called for investigations into possible government overreach. Longo and Bittner have labeled the raid as an example of a broken system, vowing to pursue justice for their beloved animals.
Meanwhile, the controversy has expanded into the cryptocurrency world with Longo's launch of JUSTICE, a meme coin he created in response to PNUT, another meme coin inspired by Peanut's internet fame. PNUT had previously skyrocketed in value, surpassing a $1 billion valuation after its listing on Binance. Longo launched JUSTICE as a protest against what he saw as the exploitation of Peanut's legacy for financial gain.
JUSTICE quickly gained attention, reaching a $13 million market cap and experiencing a price surge of over 50,000% in hours. However, concerns over insider manipulation have cast a shadow over the coin's legitimacy. According to blockchain analysis firm Bubblemaps, nearly 80% of the token's supply is controlled by a coordinated group of wallets. In an X thread, the firm reported that the top 45 wallets were funded within a three-hour window prior to the coin's public launch, suggesting insider coordination.
"This looks coordinated, with strong signs that one person or a small group controls these wallets," Bubblemaps noted. The findings have led some to question whether JUSTICE is a legitimate project or merely a cash grab exploiting the emotional resonance of Peanut's story. The allegations have fueled skepticism among investors, with many warning of the risks involved in a token so heavily concentrated in the hands of a few holders.
Longo has faced additional criticism for his earlier threats to sue holders of PNUT for copyright infringement, accusing them of profiting off Peanut's legacy without compensation. His actions have led to debates about the ethical boundaries of leveraging personal tragedies for financial gain in the crypto industry.
The dual controversies-one over the government's handling of Peanut's death and the other over the ethical practices behind JUSTICE-have brought attention to broader issues of government accountability and transparency in cryptocurrency. For Longo and Bittner, their fight represents both a personal mission to honor Peanut's memory and a larger call for systemic change.
