Squirrel of Viral Fame Seized by Authorities – “Internet, You Won”

A squirrel with hundreds of thousands of fans online has been confiscated by New York state authorities, prompting an emotional appeal for its owner to return it.

Mark Longo's pet squirrel Peanut and a raccoon named Fred were brought into the care of the state's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) during a raid following anonymous complaints about the animals' living conditions.

Longo, 34, launched an online campaign to get his animals back after officers came to his home in rural Pine City on Wednesday. “The DEC showed up at my house and served me a search warrant for a squirrel and a raccoon,” Longo said Newsweek. “They searched my house like I was a drug dealer or something. It’s the most shocking thing I’ve ever seen or witnessed in my life.”

Peanut, affectionately known as P'Nut or PNUT, has lived with Longo for seven years now and has gained notoriety for his playful antics, often seen wearing tiny cowboy hats or wearing crocheted bunny ears while munching on waffles.

Longo, who has shared countless videos of Peanut on Instagram and TikTok, took to social media to express his sadness over the seizure and has vowed to do everything he can to get his beloved pet back. “Well, the internet, you win,” Longo said in a post following his beloved squirrel's seizure, believing that the reports that led to the seizure came from people on the internet who don't like him.

The DEC spokesman told the Associated Press that the agency launched an investigation after receiving multiple reports of potentially unsafe housing of wild animals that could transmit rabies, as well as illegal keeping of wild animals as pets.

However, the DEC did not confirm whether Peanut was euthanized, which worries Longo. “I have not received any information as to whether Peanut is still alive. I don't know where he is. I have no idea,” he said.

Newsweek I emailed the DEC for comment Friday morning.

Longo's bond with Peanut began seven years ago when he rescued the squirrel after witnessing his mother get hit by a car in New York City. He cared for Peanut for eight months before attempting to release him back into the wild, only to find the injured animal back on his porch shortly afterwards.

After the incident, Longo decided to keep Peanut as a pet, and the squirrel's fame on social media skyrocketed. In April 2023, Longo opened P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary in upstate New York, where he cares for around 300 animals, including horses, goats and alpacas. Although Longo acknowledged that keeping a wild animal without a permit is against New York law, he said he is in the process of obtaining certification for Peanut as an educational animal.

“I want me and the state officials to come to an agreement,” Longo said. “We will be happy to follow the rules. Yes, it doesn't look like that in this position, considering that having a squirrel was a little paperwork. But I'm treated like I have a dragon in my house.” “

The arrest of Peanut and Fred is not an isolated incident; Longo joins a growing list of pet owners challenging similar actions by the DEC. Recently, a Buffalo-area man sued the agency to retrieve his pet alligator, which was also confiscated.