New York man fights to reclaim internet-famous squirrel seized by authorities

NEW YORK (TNND)— A New York man said he is trying to get his squirrel back after authorities seized the wild animal from his possession amid complaints.

An online petition was launched on Change.org for Mark Longo, with supporters rallying to reunite him with his beloved pet, Peanut.

Longo claimed there were multiple anonymous complaints about Peanut — also spelled P’Nut or PNUT — with at least six officers from the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) raiding his home on Wednesday.

He said officers took Peanut, as well as Fred, a raccoon he had been rehabilitating.

“Well internet, you WON. You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness. To the group of people who called DEC, there’s a special place in hell for you,” Longo wrote on Instagram.

Longo, who runs an animal shelter inspired by Peanut called P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, said he is in shock and disgust. He said he rescued Peanut seven years ago after he saw the squirrel’s mother get fatally hit by a car.

He brought Peanut home, where he rehabilitated the animal for eight months before trying to release the squirrel back into the wild.

“A day and a half later I found him sitting on my porch missing half of his tail with his bone sticking out,” Longo said.

Longo determined Peanut lacked the survival skills to live in the wild and would remain an indoor squirrel — and an Instagram star was soon born.

These days, Peanut has more than 530,000 followers on Instagram. To Longo, he’s much more than a social media sensation.

“He’s been the center of my world and many of yours for so long, I don’t know how to process this, emotionally,” Longo said.

Longo said he misses his little buddy and is afraid the animal has been euthanized.

“I don’t know if Peanut is alive,” he told The Associated Press Thursday. “I don’t know where he is.”

A spokesperson for the DEC said in a statement that the agency started an investigation after receiving “multiple reports from the public about the potentially unsafe housing of wildlife that could carry rabies and the illegal keeping of wildlife as pets.”

The DEC spokesperson did not respond to a question about whether Peanut had been euthanized.

As of Thursday evening, the petition amassed more than 18,000 signatures.

“In the interest of Peanut’s well-being, we respectfully ask the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to re-evaluate their decision and return him to his family,” according to the petition. “Peanut is a cherished squirrel who has been displaced from his home, and we need your support to advocate for his safe return.”

The petition also noted a GoFundMe account was also set up to help Longo with legal fees amid his battle to get Peanut back.

“Your contributions will go directly toward these essential legal costs, helping us bring Peanut back to the loving environment he deserves,” according to the petition. “Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference and brings us one step closer to reuniting Peanut with his home.”

Longo thanked everyone for the support and said he’s focused on Peanut’s return, as well as the other animals in his care.

P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary opened in April 2023 and now houses about 300 animals, including horses, goats and alpacas, said Longo, who runs the sanctuary with his wife, Daniela, and other family members.

Longo is aware that it’s against New York state law to own a wild animal without a license. He said he was in the process of filing paperwork to get Peanut certified as an educational animal.

As for Fred, Longo said he only had the raccoon for a few months and was hoping to rehabilitate the injured creature and release him back to the woods.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.