Anne Angelo Webb: [00:00:00] Peanut the Squirrel and Fred the Raccoon were euthanized despite being under sanctuary care. Today I’m joined by Maria Poietti, a New York attorney with a passion for saving animals, to talk about this case and the proposed Peanuts Law. Welcome Maria. 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: Thank you. Great to be here. Thank you. 

Anne Angelo Webb: Thank you so much for taking the time to be here.

For those of you who may be new to the show, I’m Angelo Webb. For over twenty years, as the owner of Animal Intuitive Academy and Intuitive Touch Animal Care, I’ve provided individual animal communication and training. I’m also nationally board certified in animal acupressure massage and neuro-based coaching for humans and an animal-and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

And here on the Animal Intuitive Channel, we dive into ways to connect more deeply with animals, explore holistic care options, support pet parents, and interview experts in animal care and [00:01:00] advocacy. Which is why Maria is here and Maria, I really appreciate you being here to help us explore if there’s something positive that could come out of such a heartbreaking situation.

So let’s just, I want to start off by acknowledging the family of Peanut and Fred and Peanut and Fred. My heart was broken when I saw this on the news to the family, you’ve been in my prayers, and I want to dedicate this episode to you, Peanut and Fred. so much. Okay, so that being said, Maria, I want to just see if you could maybe give us an overview of the situation of this case.

Maria Proietti, Esq.: Well, everyone knows Beloved Squirrel and his, he’s an internet, was unfortunately an internet sensation with his friend Fred the Raccoon that was also at the sanctuary. They were confiscated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation because it is actually illegal. In New York to keep squirrels and raccoons.

Even if you’re a sanctuary, you [00:02:00] need to be a licensed rehab facility. And what happened was people called in complaints, and unfortunately the DEC took action. Now, the euthanization was allegedly because Peanut supposedly bit one of the DEC officers. Peanuts. And although squirrels rarely carry rabies because he was in contact with Fred the raccoon, they were worried that it would be a health public health risk.

So unfortunately they supposedly euthanized both Peanut and Fred. 

Anne Angelo Webb: Talk to us a little bit about some things about this case that inspired you to get involved with, with putting together Peanut’s Law. You know, what is your background to a little bit? We didn’t get to kind of talk about that and how you came to be.

a lawyer who would be handling cases like this? 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: Well, I’ve always had a passion for animals. I’ve been in animal rescue my entire life, [00:03:00] and I’m currently on the New York Bar Association’s legislative subcommittee, of its Committee on Animals and Law. So I’m trying to get help with my committee members get more animal welfare laws passed.

And this law in particular was brought to light by Assemblyman Jake Blumenkrantz, who’s from Long Island. So, he’s actually proposed Peanut’s Law. I just offered my legal services if he needs it, and we’ve been in touch about various amendments and things of that sort to 

Anne Angelo Webb: Okay. And there’s a change.

org to people. We’re going to talk where people can get involved. So I’m going to put that up on the screen in a minute. So maybe tell us just go more into depth about what the law proposes so that we can prevent something like my animals joint behind us. So maybe tell us a little bit more in depth.

How to prevent [00:04:00] such a tragedy from happening in the future? 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: Well, the first thing is to be a licensed rehab facility. But even more important than that, the Peanuts Law proposal will have a 72 hour waiting period before euthanizing any sanctuary animal. And this is done so that there’s time to arrange veterinary care, there’s time to appeal, and things of that nature.

Anne Angelo Webb: At this point, I mean, when you look at the situation in hindsight, is there anything that could have been done differently, legally? 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: Well, I mean, they followed the law, so that’s why the law needs to be amended, and Peanut’s Law needs to be passed, because there needs to be at least a 72-hour waiting period before euthanizing the animals.

And also part of the law is that there has to be an immediate danger to the animal itself or the public for their [00:05:00] euthanization. So, I mean, this euthanization happened fairly quickly, but I know there was the whole issue of peanut biting the DEC agent. 

Anne Angelo Webb: Right, and I guess the, my understanding is that you have to, unfortunately, the option in their minds was that they had to put the, put peanut down in order to determine if peanut had rabies and 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: Correct.

Anne Angelo Webb: The agent’s life could have been at risk. Let’s talk about just the transparency aspect of it, which is important for public trust and accountability. 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: Right. Well, it’s absolutely, I mean, state agencies are for the people and there must be public trust and accountability. So having the transparency and accountability aspect allows more trust for the public.

Like they have in the DEC has not even released any of the, you know, information on. Did they have even have ratings? So, I mean these are [00:06:00] things that the public needs to know and should be required Under the law, but again, the most important thing is a 72 hour waiting period And the clear immediate risk criteria, assures that the animal Will only be euthanized During the waiting period if a licensed veterinarian Confirms a direct, immediate risk to public safety.

So those are the two most vital, because I mean, it happened so quickly, that they euthanized Peanut and Fred. So that part of the law really needs to 

Anne Angelo Webb: And I don’t even understand why was Fred euthanized? If Peanut, you know, bit them you know, I Question that they needed to, to do this to Pina, but let’s just say that they were forced to.

There was no other option. Why did they euthanize Fred, if he didn’t bite anybody? 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: They, they were not clear on the, well, raccoons are clear transmitters of [00:07:00] rabies.

Anne Angelo Webb: But he didn’t bite anybody, right?

Maria Proietti, Esq.: Exactly. According to them, he did not. It was Peanut. And so they just It’s just, well, they’re supposedly doing an internal investigation on this.

So, it’s definitely needed.

Anne Angelo Webb: Do you think that the family is perhaps going to take legal action against 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: Well, that’s what they said. I know that Mark Longo released a statement. That he was going to pursue, yeah, legal action.

Anne Angelo Webb: Those poor people, what they’ve been through. Because it was also, it wasn’t just that they, they put them outside of their house and they were like went through their house and there was a search warrant and I mean it was really You know, there’s some talk, of course, that this is just government overreach.

I’m wondering what you think about that. 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: Well, that’s Trump’s campaign had weighed in on this with Elon Musk as well. And they specifically mentioned Peanut. And claiming it’s [00:08:00] government overreach. 

Anne Angelo Webb: Mm 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: hmm. So, I mean, I’m just pushing for, you know, Jake Blum and Krantz’s law, try to help this law get passed, because it’s very important.

You know, to, for the, for the protection of the animals. To make sure that they are not euthanized. In the meantime, all the appeals and everything, unless there’s a clear, immediate risk. 

Anne Angelo Webb: Right, because then I, I’m wondering about other people right now who have animals that they did, I don’t know, maybe.

Because, also, if we take a step back, weren’t they in the process of getting a license? Yes. 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: Yes, so that was one of the proposed amendments to the law, is that there’d be some kind of waiting period, also for, if the sanctuary wants to apply to be a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility. Because under the law now, they’re the only one, so like, let’s say you find a squall that’s been hit by a car like I’ve done in the past, I bring them to a licensed Wildlife [00:09:00] facility.

Okay, because the state feels that you know, they have the training the licensing to handle these animals Properly and a sanctuary may not Okay, 

Anne Angelo Webb: so so under the proposed law if somebody Sort of wants to set themselves up as a rescue or 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: correct 

Anne Angelo Webb: They could have some time like a little waiting period exactly 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: exactly 

Anne Angelo Webb: or anything like this happens again Which is what they were doing is what?

The Longos were doing right? So Do you think that this could influence laws in other states? if 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: Absolutely, that’s what A case law is about judges, courts assembly committees. They look to other states see what other states have done regarding wildlife and animal protection. So I think this would have a great impact.

Anne Angelo Webb: Yeah. 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: In our wildlife law in the United [00:10:00] States. I mean, I believe one of the legislators in Wyoming had released a statement that this was government overreach. So I mean, other states are definitely interested in this case. 

Anne Angelo Webb: Okay, fantastic. Now, people who would like to get involved, there is a change.

org petition going around that you can sign. The, I’ll put the link in the description of this video too, but it’s probably if you just Google change. org and pass Peanuts law, I would think it would take you there. But I will have a description, a link in the description for that too. So, 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: so far And I’ve also been in touch with Jake Blumengrant’s.

There’s going to be proposed amendments also, such as to, to what’s actually on the change. org website, such as allowing a waiting period [00:11:00] for a sanctuary to get licensed. Mm hmm. And things of that sort. Okay. 

Anne Angelo Webb: People who have animals right now that are Maybe in that in between period or they’re they haven’t even taken that step to apply Do you have any advice for them at this point in time?

Maria Proietti, Esq.: would bring them so this doesn’t happen again and the animal gets euthanized. Just please bring them to a licensed wildlife, Rehabilitation facility. I believe the DEC has the list of facilities on their website Okay, so I mean once you bring it to them, I mean i’ve tons and tons of animals. I mean i’ve Rescued hawks that hit on the highway squirrels things of that nature.

I always bring them to a licensed wildlife Rehabilitation. I mean, this is not the law in every state. Okay, so, but I mean at least those in New York. You can’t, unfortunately, even a sanctuary. You just cannot treat there’s a list of [00:12:00] animals that I believe is also on the DEC website, and squirrels and raccoons are two of the types of animals that need to be brought to a licensed rehab.

Anne Angelo Webb: If you’re in another state outside of New York, please check if you’re not. So go to there, go to the change. org, please, everybody who’s watching this, and you can sign on there, kind of see where we’re at at this point. It looks like right now we’ve got 401 signatures. How many do you, is there like a certain signatures you need?

Maria Proietti, Esq.: No, I don’t believe so. Because what happens is it’s proposed, and the bills have to pass through both houses of the legislature in New York, the Assembly and the Senate. Before that’s done, it goes through the committees, and once it’s approved by the committee then they put it on their calendar to vote on the bill.

Anne Angelo Webb: So the so really the signatures are just sort of to show exactly 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: that there’s Momentum and [00:13:00] and the public is really really wants this law to be passed. I mean look what happened with flacco’s law got passed in new york city. Yeah Yeah, no more rat poison because poor flacco what happened was he Ate a rat that was poisoned and that’s why he crashed into the Building in the on the upper west side, right?

So, I mean public outcry was tremendous and flockels law got passed. So we really need public support, right? 

Anne Angelo Webb: So, please everybody go there and sign that and share it on your social media share it with friends and family You know, there’s no There’s no getting Peanut and Fred back, and I’m sure the family, you know, is just absolutely devastated, but at least something like this, it means that what has happened, their names can, there’s a legacy for them that can carry on and save other animals.[00:14:00] 

So Is there anything that we haven’t discussed that you think is important that to mention or to share with people? 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: No, just I know there’s animal lovers out there that have a good heart, but please don’t try and rehabilitate the animal There’s tons of wonderful licensed rehab facilities that you could bring the animal to and they’ll they have the You know the means and to help the animal and save the animal.

So please do that. Don’t try and save it on your own Even if you’re a sanctuary, 

Anne Angelo Webb: so even if you’re a sanctuary 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: Correct because the state feels you’re not licensed in the wildlife rehabilitation But this is regarding those animals. I think that DEC website such as squirrels Raccoons, I think foxes is on the list Things of that nature.

So, if you find a type of animal that is on the list, they need to be brought to a, it’s not like a cat and a dog, [00:15:00] where you could, you know, do it yourself, bring it to your local vet. So, these animals specifically need to be brought to licensed rehab facilities. 

Anne Angelo Webb: Yeah, don’t get attached. Take them there first before you get attached, because 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: Yeah, exactly.

Anne Angelo Webb: They’re 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: Under the law, they can’t be pets in New York, so 

Anne Angelo Webb: In New York. 

Maria Proietti, Esq.: I mean, I think Florida’s different. Okay. Mm hmm. Things of that, I mean, I think you can have prairie dogs and things of that, that sort as a pet. 

In other states, but in New York, they need to be brought to a licensed rehab.

Anne Angelo Webb: Okay. Yeah, in New York, we, we need, not we, I mean New Jersey, but, you know, similar, it’s Usually laws are very strict about a lot of things. So it’s not a surprise. Maria, thank you so much for taking the time to update us about this. Yeah. And hopefully this will save some people’s, a lot of people and animals, heartache, save some lives.

And [00:16:00] again, we’re just, we, our heart goes out to the Longo family and to Peanut and Fred. Thank you so much, everybody for watching. Thank you for being here and God bless everyone and your wonderful animals. Start communicating with animals today with this special offer from the Animal Intuitive.

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