What began as a quiet spring afternoon in upstate New York turned into a devastating scene that Michael and Lauren Pearson say will haunt them for the rest of their lives. In a matter of minutes, wildlife officers with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation stormed their backyard, seized their pet squirrel — a rescued Eastern gray named Peanut — and drove away without explanation. Within hours, they would learn Peanut had been euthanized.
Now, the Pearsons are preparing to sue the state for what their attorney describes as a “gross violation of property rights, due process, and basic humanity.” Court filings obtained by The New York Times reveal the couple is seeking $10 million in damages, arguing that Peanut was legally acquired, properly vaccinated, and posed no public health threat.
“They didn’t just take an animal,” Lauren told NBC News, her voice breaking. “They took our baby. Peanut slept in our bed. He followed us around the house. He kissed me on the cheek every morning. And now he’s gone.”
Couple sues New York for $10M after state wildlife officers seize & euthanize their pet squirrel Peanut without notice. pic.twitter.com/LVUMHDtKtt— CourtWatch NY (@CourtWatchNY) August 9, 2025
According to state officials, the seizure was carried out under a regulation that prohibits private citizens from keeping wild species, including squirrels, without a special license. But the Pearsons insist they had such a permit, issued in 2023, which allowed them to keep Peanut after rescuing him from a fallen nest during a storm. Their attorney, David Kaplan, told CBS New York that “documentation proving the permit exists has been shared with the state, and yet no explanation has been provided for why it was ignored.”
Neighbors say they were stunned to see uniformed officers arrive at the Pearson property. “They came in like it was a drug raid,” said neighbor Jamie Torres in an interview with Times Union. “We’re talking about a squirrel who wears a little harness and goes for walks on a leash. Peanut wasn’t hurting anybody.”
Lauren recalled that Peanut had been sunbathing in his favorite spot near the back porch when the officers grabbed him with a net. “He squealed and clung to me,” she told The Washington Post. “They wouldn’t even let me hold him one last time. They just shoved him into a carrier and left.”
“He wasn’t just a pet, he was family. The way they took him was cruel beyond words.” — Lauren Pearson pic.twitter.com/2e3gFQ4kh1— Animal Justice Now (@AnimalJusticeNow) August 9, 2025
Within hours, the Pearsons say they called the DEC office repeatedly, desperate for information. They claim they were told Peanut had been euthanized “in accordance with state policy” due to his classification as a wild animal. “That’s when I screamed,” Michael told Insider. “It felt like the air was sucked out of the room. He was healthy. He was loved. There was no reason for this.”
In court documents reviewed by Reuters, the Pearsons accuse the state of violating the Fourth Amendment, depriving them of property without due process, and inflicting emotional distress. Kaplan says the $10 million claim reflects both the emotional loss and the potential precedent the case could set for other exotic and rehabilitated animal owners.
The DEC, in a statement sent to BBC News, defended the officers’ actions. “Wild animals, even those kept as pets, can pose significant health and safety risks to the public,” the agency said. “Our policies are designed to protect both people and wildlife.” When asked about the Pearsons’ alleged permit, the DEC declined to comment, citing pending litigation.
Animal rights organizations have already rallied behind the couple. The Humane Society of the United States issued a statement to USA Today calling Peanut’s death “unnecessary and deeply troubling,” and urging the state to “review outdated laws that fail to consider modern rehabilitation practices.”
Pet squirrel Peanut was seized and euthanized by NY officials. Legal experts say case could reshape exotic pet laws nationwide. pic.twitter.com/4W5HQrUqF5— Legal Lens (@LegalLensNews) August 9, 2025
Online, public outrage has exploded. A petition demanding justice for Peanut has garnered over 500,000 signatures in just three days, with commenters sharing photos of their own non-traditional pets and calling for an overhaul of state wildlife rules. “If this can happen to a squirrel, it can happen to my ferret, my parrot, my snake,” one post on Reddit read.
For the Pearsons, the days since Peanut’s death have been a blur of grief and legal meetings. “Every morning, I still expect him to come running for his breakfast,” Lauren told People. “Now, there’s just silence.” They’ve set up a memorial in their backyard with Peanut’s toys and the tiny sweaters Lauren knitted for him over the years.
Legal analysts say the case could hinge on whether the Pearsons’ permit was valid and whether the DEC followed proper seizure procedures. “If the couple can prove they had lawful possession, the state may face significant damages,” constitutional law professor Janet Holloway told Law360. “This could also trigger legislative reform to prevent future incidents.”
Michael says the lawsuit isn’t just about money. “No amount will bring him back. This is about making sure no one else has to go through this.” The couple’s legal team plans to file their full complaint in federal court next week, and they’ve vowed to take the case “as far as it needs to go” — even to the Supreme Court.
Couple vows to fight for justice after beloved pet squirrel Peanut is killed by NY officials. “We’ll never stop speaking his name.” pic.twitter.com/v8gKPx4z0J— Justice4Peanut (@Justice4Peanut) August 9, 2025
As for what comes next, the Pearsons say they will keep Peanut’s memory alive — and keep fighting. “He was only with us for three years, but he changed our lives,” Lauren said. “We’re going to make sure his story changes the law.”