NYC's Beloved Social Media Squirrel Peanut Confiscated by Authorities: Owner Pleads for His Return

NYC's Internet Famous Squirrel Peanut Seized by Authorities

Mark Longo, a New York man, is pleading with state authorities to return his beloved pet squirrel, Peanut, after it was seized during a raid. Peanut, who has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms, was taken by the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) along with a raccoon named Fred.

The DEC received multiple complaints about the potentially unsafe housing of the animals and the illegal keeping of wildlife as pets. Longo, who runs an animal refuge called P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, took to Instagram to express his outrage and fear for Peanut's well-being.

Longo fears that Peanut may have been euthanized, as he hasn't heard from the DEC regarding his squirrel's whereabouts. He has been caring for Peanut since the squirrel was orphaned after its mother was hit by a car in New York City seven years ago. Peanut, with his playful antics and adorable personality, became a viral sensation, appearing on TV and newspapers such as USA Today.

While Longo acknowledges that owning a wild animal without a license is against New York state law, he was in the process of filing paperwork to get Peanut certified as an educational animal. He pleads for the DEC to work with him to find a solution that allows him to keep Peanut, stating, "If we’re not following the rules, guide us in the right direction to follow the rules, you know? Let us know what we need to do to have Peanut in the house and not have to worry about him getting taken."

Longo is not the first animal owner to face confiscation by New York authorities. A Buffalo-area man whose alligator was seized by the DEC in March is currently suing the agency to regain possession of his 750-pound reptile.