REASON · 2026-11-12 21:07 UTC

J.D. Vance Used Peanut the Squirrel To Attack Government Overreach. So Why Has ICE Detained Peanut's Owner?

Peanut, a pet squirrel, was euthanized by New York's DEC after a 2024 government raid on his owners' home over alleged unsafe wildlife housing and illegal pet keeping. J.D. Vance cited the case at a 2024 rally, criticizing the government for targeting pets while ignoring illegal immigrants. About two years later, Daniela Bittner, married to American citizen Mark Longo, was in immigration detention on track for possible deportation to Germany, with DHS saying she overstayed her welcome and the couple saying she made a form mistake.

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