Mark Longo has just revealed that the New York Department of Environmental Conservation euthanized his cherished pet squirrel, Peanut. This innocent creature was taken from him, where he had lovingly raised it since it was a baby, after its mother got hit by a car.
Mark used… pic.twitter.com/C4K4mGq0S5
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) November 1, 2024
Mark Longo’s heartache is palpable after his beloved pet squirrel, Peanut, was euthanized by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Peanut, who Longo had raised from infancy, was taken from his home alongside a raccoon named Fred on October 30, 2024. Within just 48 hours, the DEC made the controversial decision to end Peanut’s life, citing concerns over rabies after reports suggested unsafe housing conditions for the animals.
Authorities claimed that Peanut and Fred posed a potential risk to humans, as they were living in a residence shared with people. Tensions escalated when one DEC official was reportedly bitten by Peanut during the seizure. Such actions, carried out without a search warrant, have sparked outrage and disbelief in the community, raising questions about the DEC’s methods and the treatment of domesticated wildlife.
Longo, devastated by the loss of Peanut, had leveraged the squirrel’s viral fame to raise funds for animal sanctuaries. He had also been in the process of securing certification for Peanut as an educational animal, demonstrating the deep bond he had with the creature. Public sentiment strongly favors Longo, highlighting a growing discontent with how wildlife agencies handle domestic animals and the rights of pet owners. The community is now rallying behind Longo, calling for accountability and changes to prevent such tragedies from occurring again.
Sources: