Officials Seize Peanut the Squirrel, and Fred the Raccoon, Euthanizing Beloved Pets

Officials Seize Peanut the Squirrel, and Fred the Raccoon, Euthanizing Beloved Pets

Pine City, New York – Outrage is spreading across the nation as people learn that two beloved Instagram stars have been seized from their owner and euthanized by officials with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon resided with Mark Longo and the officials raided his home on October 30, taking the animals away and euthanizing them a short time later.

Peanut’s Instagram account boasts over 500,000 followers who learned about the confiscation in a heartbreaking video.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Peanut The Squirrel (@peanut_the_squirrel12)

Part of the post reads:

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. Today at 10am Wednesday, Oct 30, 2024… The NY State DEC showed up to my house and took Peanut. He was TAKEN to the EUTHANIZED. I’m in shock, disbelief, and disgusted to the people who did this to, PNUT. For the last 7 years, Peanut has been my best friend. He’s been the center of my world and many of yours for so long, I don’t know how to process this, emotionally. Last year we moved to NY in hopes of starting a NONPROFIT animal rescue in PNUT’s Name. @pnuts_freedom_farm will forever live in PNUT’s memory.

Thousands rallied to have the animals returned to their home, but officials killed them instead. The devastating news was shared with social media followers on Friday:

It is with profound sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news: on October 30th, the DEC made the devastating decision to euthanize our beloved Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon. Despite our passionate outcry for compassion, the agency chose to ignore our pleas, leaving us in deep shock and grief. To add to our anguish, they informed the media of their decision before even notifying P’nuts Freedom Farm, his loving home. This demonstrates a troubling lack of respect and empathy. Their lives were precious, and we refuse to accept this loss in silence.

We urgently call on all of you to stand with us in demanding accountability from the DEC.

The DEC agency claims the animals were killed because of the threat of rabies. Peanut had lived with Longo since he was a baby; taken in by Longo after his mom was killed by a car. After eight months, Longo tried to release Peanut into the wild, but the squirrel kept returning and became Longo’s pet.

A fundraiser created in support of the seized animals has amassed over $41,000. Longo has stated the funds will be used to support his non-profit animal sanctuary, P’nuts Freedom Farm, which had used funds from the popular Instagram account.

Rest in peace Peanut and Fred. SIGN THE PETITION HERE TO DEMAND CHANGE: