5 Shocking Facts About Peanut The Squirrel's Euthanasia That Sparked A National Uproar

The death of Peanut the Squirrel in late 2024 ignited a firestorm of controversy, transforming a beloved social media star into a symbol of a contentious battle between wildlife laws and animal rescue efforts. On October 30, 2024, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) seized the famous eastern gray squirrel from his long-time caretaker's home, leading to his subsequent euthanasia, a move that sent shockwaves across the internet and prompted calls for legislative change. This article, updated in December 2025, dives deep into the circumstances, the legal fallout, and the lasting legacy of the squirrel known simply as "P'Nut."

The incident quickly transcended a simple animal seizure, morphing into a national debate about the strict enforcement of wildlife regulations, the ethics of rescuing and raising wild animals, and the immense power of social media to mobilize public opinion. For millions of followers, Peanut was a cherished family member; for the state, he was an illegally possessed wild animal, a classification that ultimately sealed his fate and thrust his owner into a high-profile legal battle.

The Life and Controversial End of Peanut the Squirrel

Peanut, also affectionately known as P'Nut, was an eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) who rose to internet fame through his unique story and charming personality. His life, while short, was incredibly impactful, culminating in a controversial end that continues to inspire legal and legislative action.

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• Name: Peanut (P'Nut)
• Species: Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
• Gender: Male
• Found/Rescued: 2017, as an orphaned kit in New York City.
• Caretaker/Owner: Mark Longo (Founder of P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary)
• Residence: Pine City, New York
• Social Media Status: Viral internet celebrity with a massive following on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
• Seizure Date: October 30, 2024
• Euthanasia Date: Soon after seizure, on or around October 30, 2024.
• Authority Responsible: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
• Official Reason for Euthanasia: To test for rabies after biting a DEC worker during the seizure, which is the state's required protocol for potential rabies exposure.
• Legal Status at Seizure: Considered an illegally possessed wild animal under New York State law, as Longo did not possess the required wildlife rehabilitation license or a special permit.

Fact 1: The Rabies Test Mandate Was the Official Death Sentence

The most crucial and tragic detail of Peanut's death centers on the New York State's mandatory protocol for rabies testing. When DEC officials executed a search warrant and seized Peanut from Mark Longo's home in Pine City, the situation escalated. During the seizure, Peanut reportedly bit one of the DEC workers.

Under New York public health law, any mammal that bites a human and is suspected of carrying rabies must be tested. Crucially, the only way to definitively test an animal for rabies is to examine its brain tissue, which necessitates the animal’s euthanasia. The DEC stated that because Peanut bit a handler, both he and a raccoon seized from the property had to be euthanized for testing. The results of the rabies test were widely reported to be negative, meaning Peanut did not have the disease that cost him his life.

This strict, zero-tolerance policy, which offers no alternative for testing a captive animal, is the core of the controversy. Supporters of Peanut argue that a beloved, socialized animal with no known exposure to the wild should have been granted a period of quarantine or that an exception should have been made due to his unique circumstances and long-term care by Longo. The DEC, however, maintained they were simply following established public health and safety protocols.

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Fact 2: The Seizure Was Part of a Multi-Agency Raid on the Sanctuary

The seizure of Peanut was not an isolated incident but part of a larger, coordinated raid on P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary. The operation involved multiple agencies and was executed under a signed search warrant. The initial legal action against Mark Longo reportedly centered on the illegal possession of protected wildlife, but the raid also led to other complications for Longo.

Reports indicate that during the search, Longo was also facing a potential gun charge, adding a layer of complexity to an already volatile situation. Longo, who is the founder of the sanctuary, claimed he was actively in the process of filing the necessary paperwork to have Peanut certified, suggesting a bureaucratic hurdle was the only thing preventing his legal possession. The coordinated effort by the DEC and other departments to seize a squirrel and other animals, including the raccoon, highlighted the seriousness with which New York State enforces its wildlife possession laws, regardless of the animal's celebrity status.

Fact 3: Peanut Was Reportedly 'Earmarked' for Euthanasia Before the Seizure

One of the most disturbing revelations in the aftermath of the event was a report suggesting that Peanut was "earmarked" for euthanasia a week before officials even arrived to take him. This detail fueled the public's outrage, suggesting that the DEC's stated reason—the bite that necessitated the rabies test—was a convenient justification for a decision that had already been made.

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Critics argue that the DEC's primary intention was to remove an illegally possessed animal, and that the rabies testing protocol merely provided the legal mechanism to dispose of the animal quickly and permanently. This perception of a predetermined fate has led many to view the incident as an act of bureaucratic cruelty, where a state agency prioritized strict adherence to regulations over the life of a non-threatening, beloved pet. The narrative of "murder by the government" gained significant traction following this report, intensifying the public backlash and calls for accountability against the DEC.

Fact 4: The Owners Are Pursuing Legal Action Against the DEC

In response to the tragedy, Mark Longo and his wife, Daniela, have not remained silent. They are actively pursuing legal action against the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and other involved parties. The lawsuit is not just about the loss of their beloved pet but is a challenge to the legality and execution of the raid itself, as well as the state's rigid rabies testing laws.

The Longos, supported by their attorney Nora Marino, are seeking justice for Peanut and aiming to set a legal precedent that could protect other animals in similar situations. The legal battle is expected to be complex, pitting the private rights of animal caretakers against the broad public health and safety mandates of the state. This high-profile case has become a rallying point for animal rights activists and sanctuary owners across the country, turning Peanut's story into a significant legal and political fight.

Fact 5: Peanut’s Death Inspired New Legislation in New York

The massive public outcry and media attention surrounding Peanut's euthanasia have already had a tangible impact on the legislative landscape in New York State. The incident has directly inspired new legislation aimed at reforming the state's wildlife laws, particularly regarding non-releasable animals that have been in long-term human care.

The proposed legislation seeks to create a pathway for caretakers like Mark Longo to legally possess and care for non-releasable wild animals under certain conditions, such as those that have been socialized and cannot survive in the wild. Furthermore, there is a push to review and potentially alter the mandatory rabies testing protocol to allow for alternatives, such as a quarantine period, for captive animals that pose a low risk to the public. Peanut's legacy is thus cemented not only as an internet celebrity but as a catalyst for potential change in how New York State handles animal welfare and wildlife rehabilitation, ensuring that his death was not in vain.

The Enduring Topical Authority and Legacy of P'Nut

The story of Peanut the Squirrel serves as a powerful case study on the intersection of animal rights, bureaucratic red tape, and social media influence. The controversy has brought entities like the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), wildlife rehabilitation licenses, eastern gray squirrel laws, and rabies testing protocols into the spotlight. The public reaction, which included the trending hashtag #JusticeForPeanut, demonstrated a collective rejection of the idea that an animal's life should be forfeited purely due to a rigid legal technicality. The ongoing Mark Longo lawsuit and the development of New York animal rights legislation ensure that Peanut's story will continue to shape the conversation around animal sanctuary regulations and non-releasable wildlife care for years to come. The goal of the Longos and their supporters is to prevent another tragedy like the one that befell the beloved P'Nut.