An orphaned squirrel-turned-social-media-star named Peanut was euthanized after state authorities seized the beloved pet during a raid on his caretaker’s home.
Multiple anonymous complaints about Peanut — also spelled P’Nut or PNUT — brought at least six state Department of Environmental Conservation agents to Mark Longo’s home Wednesday near the Pennsylvania border in rural Pine City, Longo said.
DEC officials seized the squirrel and a raccoon named Fred from Longo’s home after executing a search warrant signed by four state agencies, all of which ignored calls for leniency.
“The DEC came to my house and raided my house without a warrant to find a squirrel!” said Longo, who is 34. “I was treated like I was a drug dealer, and they were going to get drugs and guns.”
Mark Longo shows off his squirrel, Peanut, which was seized by state Department of Environmental Conservation agents at Longo’s home in rural Pine City, New York.
“For the past 7 years, Peanut has been my best friend. He has been the center of my world and the world of many of you for so long, I don’t know how to emotionally process this,” Mark wrote online.
The couple seemed devastated when they posted a video explaining what had happened
Longo runs an animal shelter with his wife, but it doesn’t seem to have made a difference.
Longo wrote a sad message to his followers on Friday: “Well, internet, you won,” he posted.
“For the past seven years, Peanut has been my best friend. He has been the center of my world and the world of many of you for so long that I don’t know how to emotionally process this.
“You took one of the most amazing animals from me because of your selfishness. To the group of people who called the DEC, there is a special place in hell for you.”
A DEC spokesperson said earlier this week that the agency launched an investigation after receiving “multiple reports from the public about potentially unsafe housing of wild animals that can transmit rabies and the illegal keeping of wild animals as pets.”
Peanut the squirrel had over 540,000 followers online and seems to be spreading joy
In one of his popular photos, Peanut eats a waffle while wearing crocheted bunny ears
The squirrel could do tricks, including jumping through hoops
Mark explained how he tried to release the animal back into the wild, but it simply returned
The small rodent seemed an integral part of the family’s life at the rural home in upstate New York
On Friday, the DEC and the Chemung County Department of Health confirmed the fate of both animals.
“On October 30, the DEC seized a raccoon and a squirrel that were sharing a home with people, potentially exposing people to rabies. Additionally, a person involved in the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. In order to test for rabies, both animals were euthanized,” the agencies said in a statement.
“The animals are being tested for rabies and anyone who may have come in contact with these animals is strongly urged to consult with their physician.”
Peanut has amassed more than half a million followers across Instagram, TikTok and other platforms in the seven years since Longo took him in after witnessing his mother being hit by a car in New York City.
Longo took Peanut home and cared for him for eight months before attempting to release the squirrel into the wild.
The love that Mark and his wife Daniela had for the animal is clearly visible
Peanut would jump on Longo’s shoulder and entertain thousands of people
Peanut the squirrel and his owners, Mark Longo and his wife Daniela, are featured in Peanut’s Instagram videos and photos
“A day and a half later, I found him sitting on my porch with half his tail missing and a bone sticking out of it,” Longo said.
He quickly learned that Peanut didn’t have the survival skills to survive in the wild and would remain an indoor squirrel.
Shortly after Longo posted videos of Peanut playing with his cat, internet fame followed.
A scroll through Peanut’s Instagram account confirms that he was no ordinary squirrel.
Peanut hopped on Longo’s shoulder, wore a miniature cowboy hat, and ate a waffle while wearing crocheted bunny ears.
Over the years, Peanut’s story has been featured on television and in newspapers and other places in USA Today.
Longo, who works as a mechanical engineer, lived in Norwalk, Connecticut, until he decided to move to upstate New York last year to start an animal shelter.
A scroll through Peanuts Instagram account confirms he was no ordinary squirrel
The adorable squirrel has appeared in over 1,400 posts over the past seven years
Fred the raccoon was also euthanized Friday by New York state officials
P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary opened in April 2023 and is now home to about 300 animals, including horses, goats and alpacas, said Longo, who runs the sanctuary with his wife, Daniela, and other family members.
He knew it was against New York state law to own a wild animal without a permit and claimed he was in the process of filing paperwork to have Peanut certified as a learning animal.
“If we’re not following the rules, point us in the right direction to follow the rules, you know?” Longo said. “Let us know what we need to do to have Peanut in our home and not have to worry about him being taken.”
As for Fred, Longo said he had only had the raccoon for a few months and hoped to rehabilitate the injured animal and return him to the woods.
“It is with great sadness that we share the heartbreaking news: On October 30th, the DEC made the devastating decision to euthanize our beloved squirrel Peanut and raccoon Fred. Despite our passionate pleas for compassion, the organization ignored our pleas, leaving us in deep shock and grief,” the Instagram post read Friday, accompanied by a video montage of the animals interacting with their smiling caregivers.