Social Media Star Squirrel Peanut Confiscated by New York Officials
A New York man is pleading for the return of his beloved pet squirrel, Peanut, after state authorities seized the animal during a raid on his home, The Associated Press reports.
Peanut, a social media sensation with hundreds of thousands of followers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, was taken by officers from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) along with a raccoon named Fred.
Mark Longo, Peanut’s owner, described the raid as “a shock” and claimed he was treated like a criminal. He said he received no prior warning and no search warrant was presented. The DEC, however, stated they launched the investigation after receiving numerous reports from the public concerning the potentially unsafe housing of wildlife and the illegal keeping of wildlife as pets.
Longo, who runs an animal sanctuary called P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, is deeply concerned for Peanut’s well-being. He fears the squirrel may have been euthanized, as Peanut lacked the survival skills to live in the wild.
Peanut’s fame was born from online videos showcasing his playful antics, including leaping onto Longo’s shoulder, wearing a miniature cowboy hat, and eating a waffle with crocheted bunny ears. The squirrel’s story has been featured on various media outlets, including USA Today.
Longo, a mechanical engineer, moved from Connecticut to upstate New York last year to establish the sanctuary. P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary opened in April 2023 and now houses over 300 animals, including horses, goats, and alpacas. Longo acknowledges that owning a wild animal in New York without a license is against the law but claims he was in the process of obtaining the necessary permits for Peanut.
This incident is not the first time New York authorities have faced backlash for confiscating pets. A Buffalo-area man is currently suing the DEC to regain possession of his 750-pound alligator that was seized in March.
