Man Says It's 'Surreal' That Officials Euthanized Pet Squirrel Peanut

A man who took in an orphaned squirrel and me it a social media star vowed Saturday that New York state's decision to seize and euthanize animal “won't go unheard.”

“We will make a stance on how this government and New York state utilizes ir resources,” Mark Longo said in a phone interview.

He declined to specify his possible next steps but said officials would hear from him soon about what happened to Peanut squirrel and Fred, a rescued raccoon that was also confiscated and put down.

state Department of Environmental Conservation took animals Wednesday from Longo’s home and animal sanctuary in rural Pine City, near Pennsylvania border. agency said it h gotten complaints that wildlife was being kept illegally and potentially unsafely.

State law requires people to get a license if y wish to own a wild animal. Longo has said he was working to get Peanut — also known as P’Nut or PNUT — certified as an educational animal.

DEC and Chemung County Health Department said Friday that squirrel and raccoon were euthanized so y could be tested for rabies after Peanut bit someone involved in investigation.

Longo said Saturday that he didn't see Peanut bite anyone during what he described as an hourslong, heavy-handed search. authorities haven't spoken with him since y left property, he said.

“Honestly, this still kind of feels surreal, that state that I live in actually targeted me and took two of most beloved animals on this planet away, didn’t even quarantine m. y took m from my house and just killed m,” he said.

A request for comment was sent to DEC on Saturday.

Longo said he started caring for Peanut after animal's mor was hit by a car in New York City seven years ago. Tens of thousands of users of Instagram, TikTok and or social media platforms glimpsed animal sporting tiny hats, doing tricks and nibbling on waffles clutched in his little paws.

Longo said Fred raccoon was dropped off on his doorstep a few months ago. After helping animal recover from injuries, Longo said, he and his wife were planning to release creature into woods.