A resident of New York has made an impassioned plea to state officials for the return of his pet squirrel, Peanut, a social media sensation, following the seizure of the animal during an enforcement action that also involved a raccoon named Fred. Mark Longo, who lives near the Pennsylvania border in Pine City, claims that multiple anonymous complaints led to a raid conducted by at least six officers from the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
Longo expressed his dismay, stating, “The DEC arrived at my home and conducted a search without a warrant to find a squirrel!” He remarked on feeling treated unjustly, as if authorities believed he were involved in criminal activity related to drugs or firearms. During the operation, the DEC took Peanut, who had gained hundreds of thousands of followers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok over the past seven years, along with Fred, a newer addition to his household.
In a statement, a representative from the DEC revealed that the agency had initiated an investigation following “numerous reports from the public regarding the potentially unsafe conditions for wildlife that might carry rabies, as well as the illegal ownership of wild animals.” Longo, who operates an animal sanctuary known as P’Nuts Freedom Farm, took to social media to express his grief over the situation. “Well internet, you WON,” he lamented in an Instagram post. “You took away one of the most remarkable animals due to your selfishness. To those who reported me to the DEC, there’s a special place in hell for you.”
Longo fears for Peanut’s well-being, noting, “I don’t know if Peanut is alive. I don’t even know where he is.” However, the DEC did not comment when asked directly whether Peanut had been euthanized. Longo’s connection with Peanut began seven years ago when he rescued the orphaned squirrel after witnessing its mother being struck by a vehicle in New York City. After caring for Peanut for eight months, Longo attempted to introduce him back into the wild. Unfortunately, the squirrel returned home after just a day and a half, injured and unable to fend for himself.
Determined to keep Peanut safe, Longo chose to keep him indoors. Peanut quickly gained fame on social media, engaging followers with playful antics, such as jumping on Longo’s shoulder and donning a cowboy hat or bunny ears while enjoying a waffle. The heartwarming journey of Peanut has been chronicled across various media, including television and newspapers like USA Today.
Longo, a mechanical engineer, relocated from Norwalk, Connecticut, to establish his animal sanctuary in upstate New York, which opened its doors in April 2023. The sanctuary currently cares for approximately 300 animals, including horses, goats, and alpacas. Longo understands that maintaining wild animals as pets without a license is against New York law, and he was in the process of applying for Peanut to be recognized as an educational animal. “If we’re not following the rules, guide us on how to comply,” he urged. “We want to ensure Peanut can remain at home without fear of being taken away.”
Regarding Fred, Longo shared that he had only recently taken in the raccoon with the intention of rehabilitating him before releasing him back into his natural habitat. Longo’s case is not unique, as he joins a group of individuals fighting against the confiscation of their pets by New York authorities. A notable example includes a man from the Buffalo area who recently filed a lawsuit against the DEC for the return of his 750-pound alligator, which was seized in March.