In brief
In a shocking turn of events, Peanut the squirrel, who has captivated over 500,000 Instagram followers, has been seized by U.S. authorities over concerns of unsafe housing. Mark Longo, the animal's caretaker, is appealing for its return.
Mark Longo is making headlines as he seeks to reclaim his beloved pet squirrel, Peanut, after U.S. authorities from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) intervened, citing complaints regarding the animal’s living conditions. Longo took to Instagram, expressing his outrage and frustration at individuals who reported him, stating, "To the group of people who called DEC, there’s a special place in hell for you." The seizure follows an investigation prompted by multiple reports of potentially unsafe housing conditions for wildlife and illegal keeping of wild pets, which the DEC confirmed.As the news broke, Longo quickly launched a legal battle to recover Peanut, supported by a growing petition that had gathered over 20,000 signatures by Friday morning. His posts documented the emotional turmoil caused by the seizure, expressing deep concern about Peanut's fate—specifically, whether the popular ash-colored rodent had been euthanized following its confiscation.Peanut, who rose to fame over the last seven years by showcasing adorable skits on his Instagram account, has become a beloved animal celebrity. Since being rescued as a baby squirrel after its mother was hit by a vehicle, Peanut has captivated followers with playful antics, often appearing in hats, sharing meals of waffles, and climbing on Longo.In addition to Peanut, the DEC raided Longo’s home to seize a newly acquired raccoon named Fred, intensifying scrutiny on his collection of wildlife. As Longo's story unfolds, the public watches closely, divided over the implications of keeping wild animals as pets versus the importance of animal welfare and compliance with state regulations.
