Peanut, a squirrel with a large following on Instagram, was taken from his owner’s home on Wednesday and later euthanized by New York state officials.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), along with the Chemung County Department of Health, removed Peanut and a raccoon named Fred after learning the animals were living with humans, raising concerns about possible rabies exposure. Both animals were euthanized to test for rabies, though the exact timing of the procedure was not disclosed.
According to a statement, one of the officials investigating Peanut and Fred was bitten by the squirrel. The statement stressed the need to “ensure the protection of public health” when it comes to the illegal possession of wild animals that could carry rabies, advising anyone who had been in contact with the animals to consult their doctor.
In New York, it is illegal to keep wildlife as pets. Peanut had been living with his owner, Mark Longo, for seven years. Longo originally took him in after seeing Peanut’s mother killed by a car in New York City. After an initial attempt to release him back into the wild, Peanut returned with an injury, and Longo decided to care for him. Over the years, Peanut gained popularity on Instagram, reaching 537,000 followers who loved watching him snack on treats and greet Longo at the door.
Fred the raccoon was a more recent addition to the household.
Following the removal of his pets, Longo posted a heartfelt video on Peanut’s Instagram, holding a portrait of his pet and thanking fans for their support. “Peanut was the best thing that ever happened to us,” he said tearfully. The post’s caption read, “RIP MY BEST FRIEND. Thank you for the best 7 years of my life… Thank you for everything.”
Several anonymous complaints led to the DEC visit at Longo’s home in Pine County, New York, on Wednesday. In a later post, Longo expressed his anger, saying, “Well internet, you WON…To the group of people who called DEC, there’s a special place in hell for you.”
Longo and his wife moved to Upstate New York last year to establish P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, named after Peanut, and officially opened it in April 2023. The sanctuary, which cares for over 350 rescued animals, relies heavily on donations from Peanut’s online followers. Longo has asked for continued support to help with “ongoing legal battles” and to honor Peanut’s memory.