Peanut the Squirrel’s Owner Arrested by ICE
A German woman who owned a famous squirrel named Peanut was arrested by ICE after being detained at an airport in New York.
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested Daniela Bittner, a 30-year-old woman from Germany, after she was detained at Elmira Corning Regional Airport in Chemung County, New York, in October. Bittner was taken into custody because she “chose to overstay her welcome in defiance of our nation’s laws,” according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Detention and Legal Concerns
Bittner’s husband, Mark Longo, claimed that she was detained due to a paperwork mix-up and described the conditions in immigration detention as “deplorable.” Longo is now criticizing Republicans for championing the couple’s story during the 2024 campaign after Peanut’s euthanasia. He is pleading for his wife not to be deported.
Peanut’s Euthanasia and Legal Conflicts
During a rally before the 2024 election, JD Vance criticized the government for not addressing illegal immigration, stating that it “doesn’t care about hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrant criminals coming into our country.” Longo said the couple was put on a pedestal by the government, only to be thrown off it later. He is seeking public support to prevent his wife’s deportation.
Wildlife Confiscation and Euthanasia
In 2024, New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers searched the couple’s home under a warrant and confiscated Peanut and a raccoon named Fred. The animals were later euthanized after they bit an investigator. The DEC stated that the animals were tested for rabies, and anyone who had contact with them was advised to consult a physician.
Background and Legal Context
Longo said he rescued Peanut after seeing the squirrel’s mother get hit by a car in New York City and kept him for seven years. The DEC cited concerns about the unsafe housing of wildlife that could carry rabies and the illegal keeping of wild animals as pets. The incident highlights the legal and ethical dilemmas surrounding wildlife ownership and public safety.
Source: Daily Wire
