Pet Owner Behind Euthanized Squirrel Launches New Token, Threatens Legal Action Against Crypto Community

Mark Longo, the owner of Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon, whose recent tragic deaths sparked widespread controversy, has launched a new cryptocurrency. Less than a month after the incident made headlines, Longo introduced Justice for P'Nut and Fred (JUSTICE), a token on the Solana blockchain, to honor his late pets and challenge what he calls "government overreach."

In a video shared on Twitter, Longo expressed his grievances over the seizure and euthanization of his pets by New York State environmental officers. Peanut (stylized as P’Nut) and Fred were taken from Longo's Pine City animal sanctuary on October 30, citing laws prohibiting the keeping of wildlife as pets. The animals were euthanized on November 1, reportedly after Peanut bit someone during the seizure.

"The government's not gonna get away with this," Longo declared in the video. "Justice will be served, not only for Fred and Peanut, but to show the world it's not okay to overstep boundaries."

Accusations Against the Crypto Community

Longo also criticized the cryptocurrency community, alleging that individuals had profited from his personal trauma. "The crypto world has taken my tragedy and profited every which way possible," he said, labeling the situation "despicable." Despite his criticism, Longo went on to unveil the JUSTICE token, emphasizing its importance as a lasting tribute to his pets.

"This is the only coin I will be affiliated with forever," Longo stated. At the time of writing, JUSTICE boasts over 14,000 holders and a market cap exceeding $53.8 million, according to Solscan. The token was minted using Pump.fun, a decentralized finance meme coin platform.

Pushback From the Community

While Longo's initiative has gained traction, it has also drawn criticism. Members of the PNUT token community, a Solana-based meme coin inspired by Peanut, have pointed out that Longo received approximately $50,000 in donations after the incident, which they claim he immediately sold.

The PNUT token had gained momentum earlier in November following a series of tweets from Elon Musk, who called the situation "messed up" and criticized the government’s actions. The token’s popularity surged as crypto enthusiasts rallied around Musk’s comments.

Political and Social Fallout

The controversy surrounding Peanut and Fred's euthanization has become politically charged, with figures like Vice President-elect J.D. Vance weighing in. Speaking at a rally in North Carolina, Vance criticized the government’s handling of the situation, framing it as "government overreach." The incident has fueled heated debates about wildlife regulations and individual rights.

Meme Coins and Legal Tensions

JUSTICE is not the first meme coin to spark legal and social tensions. In a related case, Philip Banks, the artist behind the viral "Chill Guy" meme, announced plans to take legal action against projects using his work without permission. One such token, CHILLGUY, saw its market cap skyrocket from $13 million to over $517 million within days, according to CoinGecko.

As the crypto landscape continues to intersect with cultural and political controversies, tokens like JUSTICE underscore the growing influence of digital assets in shaping public discourse. Whether Longo’s new token achieves its goal of raising awareness or faces similar criticism remains to be seen.