Social Media Sensation Peanut the Squirrel Seized and Killed by NY Wildlife Authorities

The internet is mourning the loss of Peanut the Squirrel, the Instagram and TikTok sensation with hundreds of thousands of followers, after New York state wildlife officials euthanized the beloved animal.

Peanut, a resident of P’nuts Freedom Farm in New York, was seized as part of a rabies test by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, which deemed it illegal for the public to keep squirrels as pets. Peanut’s owner, Mark Longo, has publicly voiced his grief and frustration, claiming excessive force was used in the seizure.

“Peanut was the best thing that ever happened to us,” Mark shared in an emotional post. Mark says the operation, which also involved taking a pet raccoon named Fred, was needlessly aggressive.

According to CBS News, the raid on Mark’s property took five hours, with officers thoroughly searching his home. “You need that many officers to show up to my house to literally pull my closets apart?” he questioned.

The DEC confirmed the seizure, citing potential human exposure to rabies, especially after a person involved in the investigation was reportedly bitten by Peanut.

The agency issued a statement, explaining, “On Oct. 30, DEC seized a raccoon and squirrel sharing a residence with humans, creating the potential for human exposure to rabies…To test for rabies, both animals were euthanized.” State law requires anyone keeping a wild animal to hold a wildlife rehabilitator’s license or register it for educational purposes, something Mark said he was in the process of obtaining.

In a heartfelt plea for support, Mark posted online, “RIP MY BEST FRIEND. Thank you for the best 7 years of my life…Y’all, we desperately need your help. Help us raise the money to fight this and help @pnuts_freedom_farm continue to help animals like Peanut.” His words have resonated with fans and animal lovers, who are rallying behind him to support his mission.