Squirrel Peanut Was Killed by Government Men After a Home Raid in New York

Squirrel Peanut was an internet phenomenon that fascinated hundreds of thousands of internet users followers with videos of his charming antics with owner Mark Longo. That changed last Wednesday when the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) raided Longo’s home and seized Peanut and another pet, a raccoon named Fred. The two animals were euthanized a short time later. Longo claims that DEC informed the media about the animals’ deaths before telling P’nuts Freedom Farm (Longo’s nonprofit animal sanctuary named after Peanut).

“Despite our passionate cry for mercy, the agency ignored our pleas, leaving us in deep shock and grief,” Longo said. he said. wrote on Instagram. “To add to our pain, they informed the media of their decision without even notifying their loving home, P’nuts Freedom Farm. This shows a disturbing lack of respect and empathy. Their lives were precious and we refuse to accept this loss in silence.”

DEC spokesperson said The Associated Press said they seized the animals after receiving “numerous reports from the public about potentially unsafe housing of wild animals that could carry rabies and the illegal keeping of wild animals as pets.”

“Two days ago ten to fifteen DEC officers raided my home for a raccoon and a squirrel,” Longo said. said NewsNationChris Cuomo on Friday. “We used the resources of this state to kill a squirrel and a raccoon and raid my house like I was a drug dealer. We have the resources to kill a squirrel and a raccoon, but we can’t fix the big bridges down the street?”

Longo added: “Since they left my house, not a single DEC employee or government official has called me and told me what happened. They came to my house, even asked my wife about her immigration status… They spent five hours dissecting me in the house of a squirrel and a raccoon.”

According to ABC, DEC euthanized To test them for rabies after Peanut bites someone involved in the investigation. Longo disputed these allegations. “Everyone here was wearing gloves,” Longo told Cuomo. “These are professionals who deal with animals on a daily basis, and you’re going to tell me you got bitten by a squirrel? None of this happened.”

Immediately following the raid, there was intense online backlash against the DEC’s actions.

An to post With over 28 million views. “For a taxpayer-funded agency to break into a man’s home and kill his rescued pets is downright evil.”

Another X reads “A squirrel is not just a squirrel” mail, This With 1.9 million views as of Monday afternoon. “Peanuts is for anyone who is afraid that someone more powerful than you will break into your home and take something you absolutely value from you for no good reason, no recourse.”