Man who adopted orphaned peanut squirrel says it’s ‘surreal’ New York authorities euthanized his pet in cold blood

The man who took an orphaned squirrel and made it a social media star vowed Saturday that New York State’s decision seize and put to sleep the animal “will not go unnoticed.”

“We will take a stand on how the government and New York state use their resources,” Mark Longo said in a telephone interview.

He declined to elaborate on his possible next steps but said officials would soon hear from him about what happened to Peanut the squirrel and Fred, a rescued raccoon who was also impounded and euthanized.

State Department of Environmental Protection took the animals Wednesday from Longo’s home and animal shelter in rural Pine City, near the Pennsylvania border. The agency said it has received complaints that wildlife is being kept illegally and potentially unsafely.

State law requires people to obtain a license if they want to own a wild animal. Longo said he worked to get Peanut, also known as P’Nut or PNUT, certified as an educational animal.

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

Mr. Longo said Saturday that he did not see Peanut bite anyone during what he called the hour-long, brutal search. He said authorities have not spoken to him since leaving the property.

“It honestly still feels surreal that the state I live in actually targeted me and took two of the most beloved animals on this planet without even quarantining them. They took them from my house and just killed them,” he said.

A request for comment was sent to the OEC on Saturday.

Mr. Longo said he began caring for Peanut after the animal’s mother was hit by a car in New York seven years ago. Tens of thousands of Instagram, TikTok and other social media users saw the animal wearing tiny hats, performing tricks and munching on waffles clutched in its small paws.

Mr. Longo said Fred the raccoon was dropped off at his doorstep several months ago. After helping the animal recover from its injuries, Longo said, he and his wife planned to release the creature into the forest.