Key Points Summary – P’Nut the Squirrel
- Final Photo Emerges: P’Nut looked calm and unaware moments before his death, captured by state agents.
- Raid Sparks Backlash: DEC agents raided Mark Longo’s home and killed two beloved animals.
- No Rabies Detected: Rabies tests on both animals came back negative after decapitation.
- New Legislation Proposed: “Peanut’s Law” would force a 72-hour delay before euthanizing seized animals.
P’Nut’s Peaceful Last Moments Caught on Camera
P’Nut the Squirrel, the internet-famous rodent with thousands of followers, was captured in his final calm moment just before state agents brutally ended his life. A newly released image shows him sitting upright in a cage, relaxed and unaware as a flashlight shines on him, reports the New York Post.
“You can see he felt safe,” his owner Mark Longo said. “That posture meant he was happy.”
The image is now the last photo ever taken of P’Nut the Squirrel, a gentle animal who became the face of a growing outrage over what critics call a government overreach.
State Agents Seize and Kill Two Pets
In a dramatic October 30 raid, twelve officers from the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) stormed Longo’s Pine City, New York home. They seized both P’Nut and his raccoon friend Fred—then euthanized them by decapitation at Elmira Animal Control Center.
The raid stemmed from social media complaints about Longo keeping wild animals. The DEC says Longo initially claimed P’Nut wasn’t in the house, hoping to save him. His wife later revealed Fred was hiding in an upstairs closet, and P’Nut was eventually found in a bathtub.
“They were both asleep and calm,” Longo recalled. “Fred was in a suitcase. He was just resting.”
Bite Incident Under Scrutiny
One DEC email claimed P’Nut bit a wildlife biologist on the thumb through thick gloves. The strange detail is that there were no punctures in the gloves, yet the biologist suffered a bleeding wound.
Despite that, rabies tests on both animals came back negative.
The animals’ bodies were later moved to a state health department freezer, though it remains unclear what condition they’re in now. The DEC claims the evidence is being preserved.
Longo Fights Back with Proposed Law
The shocking incident has since reached Albany. On Tuesday, Longo and his wife stood alongside Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz to announce a new bill—Peanut’s Law: The Humane Protection Act. The proposed law would require authorities to wait 72 hours before euthanizing seized animals unless there’s an imminent public health risk.
“This didn’t have to happen,” Longo said. “They were pets. They were loved.”
A Symbol of Government Overreach
Many see what happened to P’Nut the Squirrel and Fred as a chilling example of bureaucratic overreach. Hundreds of records released under a Freedom of Information request revealed the aggressive tactics used by the state wildlife officers.
Photos of the raid—including the one of Fred peering from a suitcase—only fueled public anger.
Despite the controversy, the DEC has not released new details from its internal review. A spokesperson only reiterated a prior statement from acting commissioner Amanda Lefton promising reforms.
A Pet, Not a Threat
Mark Longo shared dozens of photos of P’Nut before his death—riding in a cowboy hat, munching on waffles, and cuddling on the couch. The emotional bond was real.
“He was part of our family,” Longo said. “He wasn’t a threat, wasn’t wild, his name was P’Nut.”
Now, his story could change state law. And for animal lovers across the country, his death won’t be forgotten.
