A man who adopted an orphaned squirrel named Peanut, which gained fame on social media, expressed his shock and disbelief after New York state officials euthanized the pet. Mark Longo, the caretaker, described the situation as “surreal” and vowed to take a stand against the state’s actions.
Incident Overview
- Euthanization of Peanut: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) confiscated Peanut and a raccoon named Fred from Longo’s animal sanctuary in Pine City, citing complaints about illegal wildlife keeping. Both animals were euthanized for rabies testing after Peanut reportedly bit someone during the investigation.
- Public Outcry: Longo stated that he was in the process of obtaining certification for Peanut as an educational animal when the seizure occurred. He criticized the state for not quarantining the animals before making the decision to euthanize them, expressing deep sorrow over losing two cherished pets.
Background
Peanut had been a beloved figure on social media, showcasing playful antics and attracting tens of thousands of followers. Longo rescued Peanut after its mother was killed in an accident seven years ago. The DEC’s actions have sparked outrage among Peanut’s fans and raised questions about wildlife regulations and animal welfare.Longo plans to voice his concerns regarding how state resources are allocated in such cases, indicating that he will pursue further action following this incident.
