The Tragic End Of Peanut The Squirrel: Viral Fame, Controversial Seizure, And A $10 Million Lawsuit

The story of Peanut the Squirrel, the internet-famous Eastern Gray Squirrel, is a modern tragedy that captivated and outraged millions of social media followers across the globe. As of December 2025, the controversy surrounding his seizure and subsequent euthanasia by New York state officials in late 2024 has escalated into a major legal battle, with his owner seeking a staggering $10 million in damages.

This deep dive explores Peanut's rise to viral stardom, the legal gray area of owning a wild animal, and the intense public firestorm that erupted following the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) actions, which have now inspired new legislation.

Peanut the Squirrel: A Brief Biography and Viral Profile

Peanut, also affectionately known as P'Nut, was more than just a pet; he was a social media phenomenon and the inspiration for an animal sanctuary. His life story is intrinsically linked to his owner, Mark Longo, and the legal battle that followed his tragic death.

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• Name: Peanut (P'Nut)
• Species: Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
• Rescue Date: 2017
• Rescuer/Owner: Mark Longo
• Owner's Background: Mechanical Engineer, Founder of P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary
• Location: Pine City, Chemung County, New York
• Viral Platform: Instagram
• Peak Follower Count: Over 550,000 followers
• Viral Content: Videos and photos documenting his daily life, including being bottle-fed, wearing clothes, and interacting with Longo and his wife, Daniela Longo.
• Seizure Date: October 30, 2024
• Cause of Death: Euthanized by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for rabies testing.
• Legal Status: Illegal to keep as a pet in New York State without specific rehabilitation permits.

From Orphaned Kit to Instagram Star: The Rise of a Rescue Squirrel

Peanut's journey began in 2017 when he was found as an orphaned kit by Mark Longo. Longo, who was a mechanical engineer at the time, made the decision to rescue the vulnerable animal after finding his mother deceased. This act of compassion led to an unexpected lifelong bond, as Longo and his wife, Daniela Longo, raised the tiny squirrel, integrating him into their home life.

The Longos began sharing Peanut's adventures on Instagram, and the squirrel's endearing personality quickly turned him into a viral sensation. His content, which included charming videos of him being bottle-fed, relaxing in tiny beds, and playing with his human family, resonated with hundreds of thousands of followers worldwide. Peanut’s fame inspired Longo to found the P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating animals.

The Longos consistently maintained that they were in the process of applying for the necessary permits to legally keep Peanut as an educational animal or sanctuary resident, arguing that the squirrel was dependent on them and could not survive in the wild.

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The Tragic Seizure and Viral Outrage of October 2024

The heartwarming story took a dark and controversial turn on October 30, 2024. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers executed a raid on the Longo's home in Pine City, New York. The raid, which Longo later claimed involved excessive force, resulted in the seizure of Peanut and another rescue animal, a raccoon named Fred.

The DEC stated that keeping an Eastern Gray Squirrel as a pet is illegal in New York State without proper licensing, a law designed to protect both the animals and the public from potential rabies transmission. Despite the Longos' pleas and their attempts to provide veterinary records, Peanut was euthanized shortly after the seizure for mandatory rabies testing, a standard protocol for illegal wildlife possession cases.

The news of Peanut's death sparked an immediate and intense "viral outrage" across social media platforms. The hashtag #JusticeForPeanut trended globally, with followers and prominent figures expressing shock and anger at the state's decision to euthanize a beloved, non-aggressive, and highly publicized rescue animal. The public reaction was a firestorm, turning the case into a significant national news story and a symbol of government overreach.

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The Legal and Political Fallout: A $10 Million Lawsuit and New Legislation

The controversy surrounding Peanut's death did not fade; instead, it entered the legal and political arenas. The most significant update in the story is the ongoing legal action being pursued by Mark Longo.

In the wake of the incident, Longo filed a massive $10 million lawsuit against the State of New York. The lawsuit alleges wrongful death, excessive force during the raid, and a violation of the Longos’ rights concerning the seizure of both Peanut and Fred the Raccoon. This high-stakes legal battle highlights the complex ethical and legal issues surrounding the rescue and keeping of wild animals, particularly those who have become dependent on human care.

Furthermore, the public outcry over the DEC's actions has inspired legislative change. New York lawmakers, responding to the immense public pressure and the sentiment that the law was applied too harshly, have introduced new legislation. This proposed law aims to create a more compassionate and flexible framework for individuals who have rescued and humanely raised certain wild animals, particularly those who are non-releasable and have become social media figures or educational animals.

The legal entity and political entities involved—Mark Longo, Daniela Longo, the DEC, and New York State legislators—continue to grapple with the aftermath of the event. The case has become a major talking point about animal rights, bureaucracy, and the power of social media to influence policy.

Topical Authority: Understanding the Eastern Gray Squirrel and Wildlife Laws

To fully understand the situation, it's essential to consider the nature of the Eastern Gray Squirrel. While charming and common, they are classified as wildlife, and state laws like New York's are strict for several reasons:

• Rabies Vector: Squirrels, like raccoons, are considered potential vectors for rabies, which is why the DEC mandated the rabies testing that led to Peanut's euthanasia.
• Rehabilitation vs. Pet Ownership: Wildlife rehabilitation is a licensed field. Keeping a squirrel as a long-term pet, even if rescued, is generally prohibited to prevent the domestication of wild species and to ensure they are not returned to the wild without proper skills.
• Non-Releasable Status: The Longos' argument centered on Peanut being non-releasable. The new legislation being considered seeks to address this specific category of animals, which are often left in a legal limbo.

Peanut the Squirrel's story is a profound cautionary tale. It underscores the immense power of a viral rescue story to generate global support but also the uncompromising reality of state wildlife regulations. The $10 million lawsuit and the push for new legislation ensure that Peanut's legacy—and the debate over animal rescue laws—will continue to be a major news topic well into 2026 and beyond.