Peanut the squirrel was the pet of content creator Mark Longo. Longo shared Instagram content of Peanut’s life. With more than 600,000 fans, the account @peanut_the_squirrel12 developed a cult following.
When Peanut was only five weeks old, Longo took him in after the squirrel’s mother died in a car accident. Despite having weak “legs,” Peanut “powered through” and grew stronger and healthier.
After the content creator adopted Peanut as a pet, the squirrel and Longo became inseparable.
What happened to Peanut the squirrel?
Authorities put Peanut and Fred to death.
According to the DEC and the Chemung County Department of Health, it happened because Peanut bit one of the team members.
In a joint statement, they stated, “Both animals were put down to test for rabies.” “Anyone who has come into contact with these animals is strongly encouraged to speak with their doctor as they are being tested for rabies.”
On October 30, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) seized Longo’s pets, Fred the raccoon and Peanut the squirrel.
According to reports, “at least six officers” arrived at Longo’s door to remove the animals after the DEC received anonymous complaints.
In a statement, the DEC and the Chemung County Department of Health stated that they are “working together to protect public health about the unlawful possession of wild animals that may be infected with the rabies virus.”
The DEC also said it’s illegal to keep wildlife as pets as they might be carrying diseases that humans can contract.
Who is Peanut?
Peanut was a social media sensation. Peanut’s life was documented through 1,400 Instagram posts, showing him enjoying waffles, jumping through hula hoops, and bonding with Longo and his cat, Chloe.
Peanut had become a central figure in P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, the non-profit organization Longo founded to rescue neglected animals. The sanctuary currently shelters over 300 animals, and Peanut serves as its beloved symbol.
Why was Peanut the Squirrel confiscated?
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation and the county health department said they had received complaints regarding the “illegal keeping of wildlife as pets” and the “potentially unsafe housing of wildlife that could carry rabies.”
The reports state that after receiving several anonymous complaints about Peanut, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) sent “at least six officers” to Longo’s residence to take custody of Peanut and Fred.
In a joint statement, the DEC and Chemung County Department of Health stated that “coordination to ensure the protection of public health related to the illegal possession of wild animals that have the potential to carry the rabies virus” was necessary.
Longo maintains that the DEC used the raid as a pretext to take his squirrel, Peanut, even though they claimed it was in response to complaints about his raccoon, Fred.
Politicization of Peanut’s death
Gentry Genvers posted a phony statement purporting to be from the Trump-Vance campaign on X, which sparked the viral campaign. Karoline Leavitt from Trump’s team clarified to The Post that it was a “fake statement” and confirmed Trump “didn’t say that.”
The original post responded to Elon Musk’s comment about Trump, suggesting he would “save the squirrels” as president. Musk has been talking about the incident on X a lot as a Trump supporter.
