Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon, two beloved pets and social media stars, were euthanized this week by New York State wildlife officials. The situation sparked a huge outrage online. Peanut’s owner, Mark Longo, who had rescued and cared for the animals, expressed his emotional distress following the state’s actions. Longo believes it involved excessive force. The incident has raised questions about the government’s involvement in pet ownership, particularly wild animals. People were furious and quickly acted to collect signatures for a petition holding officials accountable for killing the rescued squirrel and raccoon. Let’s have a closer look.
Who Was Peanut?
Peanut the squirrel was much more than just a pet. He was a social media sensation, with over 500,000 followers on Instagram. The bond between Peanut and Mark Longo, the owner warmed the hearts of many across the internet. Seven years ago, Longo found Peanut as a baby with half of his tail missing due to a severe attack. It was almost impossible for the squirrel to survive in the wild. That is when Longo decided to care for him, and Peanut quickly became a part of his life.
Videos of Peanut eating snacks, jumping on Longo’s clothes, and scurrying around the house captured the attention of many. Peanut even inspired Longo to start an animal sanctuary called P’Nuts Freedom Farm. In the sanctuary, Longo cared for injured and abused animals. Peanut’s journey and Longo’s dedication to animals built a strong connection with the public. It explains the intense reaction to his euthanization.
Longo’s deep emotional connection with Peanut was clear when he tearfully said in a video, “Peanut was the best thing that ever happened to us.”
Why Were Peanut and Fred Seized?
On October 30, New York State wildlife officials, along with the Chemung County Department of Health, raided Longo’s home. They seized Peanut and Fred. Their reasoning? It is illegal to keep wild animals like squirrels and raccoons as pets in New York without proper licenses. Unfortunately, Longo did not have a license.
The situation became more serious when it was discovered that a person involved in the investigation had been bitten by Peanut. It raised concerns about rabies. Under state law, both animals were euthanized to test for rabies, as confirmed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). In a statement, the DEC explained, “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.”
“The Chemung County Department of Health and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are coordinating to ensure the protection of public health related to the illegal possession of wild animals that have the potential to carry the rabies virus. On Oct. 30, DEC seized a raccoon and squirrel sharing a residence with humans, creating the potential for human exposure to rabies. In addition, a person involved with the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. To test for rabies, both animals were euthanized. The animals are being tested for rabies and anyone who has been in contact with these animals is strongly encouraged to consult their physician.”
Statement from the DEC Press Office
Despite the legal grounds for the seizure, Longo expressed his frustration. He stated that he had been in the process of complying with the required paperwork. Longo tried to register Peanut as an educational animal. He argued that the raid was unnecessarily harsh.
“You need that many officers to show up to my house to literally pull my closets apart?”
Mark Longo
Public Outrage and Support for Peanut and Fred
The public’s response was swift. An online petition to save Peanut and Fred gathered tens of thousands of signatures in a matter of days. Supporters questioned whether the government’s actions were justified. Social media campaigns sprang up in support of Longo, with many of Peanut’s fans expressing anger and sadness.
Among the notable voices was Elon Musk, a businessman and investor known in SpaceX, the automotive company Tesla, Inc., and X (Previously known as Twitter). Musk has been vocal about government overreach for a while now. He tweeted, “Government overreach kidnapped an orphan squirrel and executed him…” His comment fueled further debate over the balance between public safety and personal freedom.
Government overreach kidnapped an orphan squirrel and executed him … https://t.co/YKoOCJWLMv
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 2, 2024
“The NYS DEC needs a serious reality check on their ridiculously mistaken priorities. Instead of focusing on critical needs like flood mitigation in places like Steuben County, where local officials have to struggle just to get permits from the DEC to clear debris-filled waterways, they’re out seizing pet squirrels. NY taxpayers deserve better.”
Congressman Nick Langworthy wrote on the X.
Before Peanut the Squirrel: The Case of Cedar the Goat
Peanut’s story also drew comparisons to another controversial case involving a pet goat named Cedar. It was seized and slaughtered by California county officials. This sparked a lawsuit and raised similar concerns about the extent of government authority over pets.
Cedar the goat’s story began in April 2022. A nine-year-old California girl named Jessica Long adopted the goat as part of a youth program. Cedar became a cherished pet, but despite the family’s change of heart, Cedar was entered into a livestock auction. When Jessica’s mother tried to withdraw Cedar from the auction, county officials refused.
In a shocking turn of events, officials traveled hundreds of miles to seize Cedar, who was then slaughtered and barbecued at a county event. The family sued Shasta County, leading to a $300,000 settlement. The case, like Peanut’s, raised questions about the government’s power in determining the fate of pets and livestock, and whether such interventions were truly necessary.
Ownership of Wild Animals and Government Intervention
The cases of Peanut the squirrel and Cedar the goat shine a spotlight on the legal and ethical complexities surrounding the ownership of wild animals. In New York, laws are strict when it comes to owning wild animals, even if they’ve been raised in captivity or rescued, as was the case with Peanut and Fred. These laws aim to protect public health, particularly from diseases like rabies, which can be transmitted by animals like squirrels and raccoons.
However, these regulations often clash with the emotional bonds people form with these animals. Mark Longo and other pet owners like him argue that they are willing to comply with the law, but need more guidance and understanding from the authorities.
“We were ready to comply, we were ready to get the paperwork, we were in the process of doing that. We needed a little bit of guidance from the DEC.”
Longo stated.
Longo has announced plans to take legal action against the DEC, citing what he believes was excessive force during the raid on his home and sanctuary.
Conclusion
As the situation stands, Peanut and Fred have been euthanized, and the results of the rabies tests are still pending. Longo is heartbroken. He is preparing for a legal battle, but the emotional loss extends beyond him to the many people who followed Peanut’s journey online. This case raises bigger questions about the rights of individuals to care for wild animals. It also raises concerns about the government’s role in ensuring public safety.
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