Instagram Star Peanut the Squirrel Seized by New York Environmental Authorities

After seven years as a social media star, Peanut the Squirrel was seized by New York environmental authorities, who stated the animal was being stored illegally. The squirrel’s dismayed human proprietor is now making an attempt desperately to get him again.

Mark Longo, a 34-year-old animal sanctuary supervisor, says that environmental authorities not too long ago got here to his home and seized the squirrel. Peanut had lived with Longo for the higher a part of a decade and has lengthy starred in his Instagram and TikTok movies. Longo’s movies typically present the human-animal duo engaged in a wide range of goofy antics, be it cuddling, taking part in, or consuming waffles. In various movies, Peanut wears costumes.

Disgruntled viewers of those movies apparently reported Longo to the New York Division of Environmental Conservation, and officers confiscated Peanut Thursday. The Related Press reports that the officers additionally took Fred, a raccoon.

“Properly web, you WON. You took one of the crucial wonderful animals away from me due to your selfishness,” Longo wrote, in an Instagram post. “To the group of people that known as DEC, there’s a particular place in hell for you.” “Im in shock, disbelief, and disgusted to the individuals who did this,” he stated, including that he thought Peanut can be euthanized by officers.

Beneath New York regulation, it’s illegal to keep a wild animal as a pet, squirrels included. When reached for remark by Gizmodo, the New York State Division of Environmental Conservation supplied the next remark:

“Following a number of experiences from the general public in regards to the doubtlessly unsafe housing of wildlife that might carry rabies and the unlawful holding of wildlife as pets, DEC carried out an investigation. DEC’s investigation is ongoing and extra data will likely be supplied because it turns into out there. New Yorkers who discover a wild animal in want of help are suggested to contact a DEC-licensed wildlife rehabilitator.”

The DEC didn’t make clear whether or not the federal government deliberate to euthanize Peanut, as Longo has claimed.

Based on Longo, he rescued Peanut roughly seven years in the past, after the squirrel’s mom died. Final yr, Longo began an upstate animal refuge, dubbed P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, that was named after the squirrel. The sanctuary describes itself as a “haven the place uncared for and homeless animals obtain a second likelihood at life,” and its web site reveals a wide range of animals which are housed on the farm, together with horses, geese, a macaw, cows, and a potbelly pig. The refuge describes Peanut as “the primary squirrel to amass over 1 million, after which 2 million, followers on TikTok, with a mixed social media following of over 3 million.”

Longo has started a petition asking that Peanut be returned to the sanctuary. It at present has over 18,000 signatures. Linked within the petition is a GoFundMe, which Longo has stated will likely be used to “cowl authorized charges for attorneys who will help us in addressing the injury prompted and guaranteeing Peanut’s return to his loving dwelling.”