The beloved squirrel Peanut seized by the state of NY after 7 years in the home

On By Littum

Oh, nuts.

A rescued pet squirrel that sat atop a social media and charity empire has been seized by New York state — and its owner says it’s scheduled to be euthanized, according to an Instagram post.

Peanut the Squirrel was rescued seven years ago after his mother was hit and killed by a car. Instagram

Peanut the Squirrel was taken from his home in Elmira, N.Y., on Wednesday by Department of Environmental Conservation officials, who issued a warrant to Peanut’s keepers after receiving complaints about “illegally possessed” animals, according to the Post.

“Well internet, you WON,” reads the caption of the account Peanut_The_Squirrel12. “You took one of the most amazing animals from me because of your selfishness. To the group of people who called the DEC, there is a special place in hell for you.”

A DEC spokesman confirmed to The Post that officers took away Squirrel Peanut and a raccoon.

Peanut is a social media star amassing over a million followers across the board
platforms. Instagram

The squirrel’s owner, Mark Longo, claimed he was in “shock” and “disbelief” that the DEC would allegedly euthanize his pet and friend, according to the social media post.

The DEC said the animals were seized in coordination with the Chemung County Health Department “due to the presence of a rabies vector species (raccoon) in the home.”

The state agency did not comment on whether the animals will be euthanized.

Longo took up Peanut seven years ago, when he was just a kit, after watching his mother get hit by a car, according to social media.

Peanut boasts 532,000 followers Instagrammore than 423,000 followers on Facebookand over 2 million views on TikTok.

Peanut chowing down on a waffle, which is one of his favorite snacks,
according to social media. Instagram

Longo, a Connecticut native, moved to Elmira in 2023 to start an animal sanctuary named P’Nut’s Freedom Farma 501.C.3 approved nonprofit.

“Last year we moved to NY in hopes of starting a NONPROFIT animal rescue in PNUT’s name. (P’Nuts Freedom Farm) will forever live in PNUT’s memory,” Longo wrote in the post announcing Peanut’s seizure.

“With over 350 rescues, we have relied heavily on PNUT and his internet family for father donations to help more animals. I don’t even know how (sic) will continue to raise money for this nonprofit.”

P’Nut’s Freedom Farm is an organization made up of veterinarians and caregivers dedicated to rescuing animals from abuse or dire situations, according to the group’s website.

Following the announcement of Peanut’s capture, Longo posted several phone numbers for the Department of Environmental Conservation on his feed — asking followers to call in protest of the government’s actions.

Peanuts keeper Mark Longo founded P’Nut’s Freedom Farm, a
organization dedicated to rescuing the abused, abandoned and neglected
animal. Instagram

There is also one petition to return Peanut to his rightful home.

This isn’t the first time the DEC has been in public relations hot water over confiscating a beloved pet.

Earlier this year, the department confiscated a 750-pound alligator from a home in Hamburg, NY, which was outfitted with a large room and pool for the reptile’s comfort.

“Albert” the alligator had lived in his home for 34 years and was raised from a hatchling by guardian Tony Cavallaro, who is now suing the department to regain custody of his longtime friend.