On October 30, TikTok phenoms Peanut the Squirrel and Fred the Raccoon, the pets of New York resident Mark Longo, were euthanized after the State Department of Environment Conservation (DEC) raided Longo’s home and confiscated the animals due to suspicions they may be carrying rabies. After it was revealed on November 12 that Peanut tested negative for the disease, Longo took legal action against those responsible for his squirrel’s death.
Longo began to nurture Peanut about seven years ago when he discovered Peanut’s mom was hit by a car in New York City. Peanut’s swift rise to stardom started when Longo started releasing viral videos featuring the squirrel on social media. Peanut loved doing tricks and playing with Longo, and he was a beloved pet to thousands of followers on social media. They watched Peanut dress in cowboy hats, grasping waffles with his paws, and entertaining us by standing on top of Longo’s head.
According to US News, prior to the detainment of Peanut and Fred, the DEC announced that “the animals are being tested for rabies and anyone who has been in contact with these animals is strongly encouraged to consult their physician.” But the initial plan to rehabilitate Peanut and release him to the wild changed after Peanut bit an investigator. They justified the euthanization by claiming that it was necessary for them to be tested for rabies. Longo described the tedious investigation as an hours-long, heavy-handed search, according to US News. Longo said that he didn’t see Peanut bite anyone during the search. The researchers also didn’t communicate about the plan with Longo after they left his property.
Longo pleaded for compassion and understanding from the DEC but his efforts were ignored, according to AP News. “Honestly, this still kind of feels surreal, that the state that I live in actually targeted me and took two of the most beloved animals on this planet away, didn’t even quarantine them,” Longo said. “They took them from my house and just killed them.”
“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,” Longo announced on his Instagram. “Despite our passionate outcry for compassion, the agency chose to ignore our pleas, leaving us in deep shock and grief.”
Despite the upsetting outcome of the investigation, Peanut was inspiring. In April 2023, Longo and his wife opened P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary. It currently houses around 300 animals including horses, goats, and alpacas, according to AP News. Peanut’s legacy will live on long after the fight to take legal action against those responsible for the euthanization. Longo e also proposed the creation of “Peanut’s Law” to prevent situations like his from happening again. One aspect of this law proposes that there must be a 72 hour waiting period before euthanizing any sanctuary animal, while another proposes that there must be an immediate attention to appeals within 48 hours. As the world mourns for Peanut and Fred, it seems as though their legacy of animal protection will live on.
