Peanut the squirrel, often called P’Nut or PNUT, was a cute eastern gray squirrel who won hearts online. In a sad turn of events, peanut the squirrel seized by state agents in late 2024. This led to the little animal’s quick death. Peanut lived with his owner, Mark Longo, for seven happy years. He became a big star on Instagram and TikTok. Fans loved his fun tricks, tiny hats, and playtime with a raccoon named Fred. But one day, officials from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) showed up. They took Peanut and Fred away. Soon after, both animals were put down. This story made many people angry and sad. It even sparked talks about government rules and pet rights.
Many ask why peanut the squirrel seized in the first place. It all ties back to laws about wild animals in New York. Keep reading to learn the full timeline, the reasons, and what happened next.
How Peanut Became a Social Media Star
Mark Longo found baby Peanut in 2017. The tiny squirrel’s mom had been hit by a car. Mark tried to help Peanut live in the wild. He bottle-fed him for months. But when he let Peanut go outside, the squirrel got hurt. His tail was badly damaged. Peanut came running back to the door. From that day, he stayed inside as a pet.
Mark started sharing videos of Peanut. The squirrel wore cowboy hats. He ate waffles. He jumped on shoulders. People loved it! The Instagram account @peanut_the_squirrel12 grew fast. By October 2024, it had over 534,000 followers. TikTok and other pages added hundreds of thousands more. Peanut helped Mark and his wife, Daniela Bittner, start an animal sanctuary called P’Nuts Freedom Farm. They rescued horses, goats, pigs, and more. Peanut’s fame brought in money to help other animals.
Fans saw Peanut as family. He was playful and smart. One popular video showed his rescue story. Check out this short clip that shares how Peanut was saved as a baby: Watch Peanut’s early days here.
Why Was Peanut the Squirrel Seized by Officials?
New York has strict rules about wild animals. You cannot keep squirrels or raccoons as pets without special licenses. Squirrels are seen as wildlife. Even if rescued, they need permits to stay with people.
In 2024, someone sent complaints to the DEC. They said Peanut and Fred were kept illegally. There were worries about rabies, too. Raccoons can carry rabies. Squirrels almost never do. But officials take bites seriously.
On October 30, 2024, DEC agents raided Mark’s home in Pine City, New York. At least six officers showed up. They had a search warrant. The raid lasted five hours. They looked everywhere. Peanut was found in the bathroom. Fred was hidden in a suitcase in a closet.
During the seizure, Peanut bit an agent. The bite went through gloves. This made officials worry about rabies right away. They took both animals that day.
Mark says he was trying to get permits. He wanted Peanut certified as an “educational animal” for the sanctuary. But he had not finished the paperwork after seven years.
Key Reasons for the Seizure
Here are the main points officials gave:
- Illegal pet ownership: No license for wild animals.
- Public complaints: Multiple reports about unsafe housing.
- Rabies risk: After the bite and living with a raccoon.
New York law says wildlife belongs in the wild or with licensed rehabbers. Keeping them as pets is not allowed.
What Happened After Peanut the Squirrel Seized and Taken Away
The sad part came fast. Officials decided to test for rabies. The only sure way to test is after the animal is dead. They look at the brain.
Peanut and Fred were euthanized the same week. Tests showed no rabies in either animal. Squirrels rarely get rabies anyway. Experts say there has never been a case of a squirrel giving rabies to a human.
Mark and Daniela were heartbroken. They called it an “execution,” not just euthanasia. They say the agents could have quarantined the animals instead. Or waited for a court order.
The news spread fast. Elon Musk tweeted about government overreach. Politicians talked about it. Even during the 2024 election, people mentioned Peanut as a symbol of too much government control.
The Public Outcry and Memecoin Craze
When people heard peanut the squirrel seized and killed, social media exploded. Hashtags like #JusticeForPeanut trended. Fans sent art and messages.
Something surprising happened next. Crypto fans made a memecoin called $PNUT. It honored Peanut’s story. The token price shot up fast. It hit top exchanges like Binance and Coinbase. At one point, it was worth billions in market cap. But prices go up and down a lot in crypto. For price predictions on $PNUT, see this page: Peanut the Squirrel crypto forecast.
Mark was upset about some memecoins. He said people used Peanut’s name without helping the sanctuary. He even launched his own token later.
Famous Reactions to the Story
- Elon Musk: Called it “government overreach.”
- Politicians: Some called for new laws.
- Fans: Raised money for the sanctuary.
This story showed how one little squirrel touched millions.
Peanut the Squirrel Seized: The Lawsuit Against New York State
Mark and Daniela did not stay quiet. They filed lawsuits. One big one is against New York State, DEC, and the Department of Health. They want $10 million in damages.
The lawsuit says:
- The raid violated their rights.
- Agents had no right to kill the animals right away.
- The warrant was only for search and seizure, not euthanasia.
- It caused emotional pain and hurt their sanctuary business.
They filed in 2025. Another suit names local officials and Chemung County. As of now, the cases are ongoing. Read more about the first lawsuit filing here: Owners sue New York over Peanut’s death.
Mark says Peanut was “irreplaceable.” Fred was young and full of life. They want change so this does not happen again.
Proposed Changes: Peanut’s Law
A New York lawmaker wants “Peanut’s Law.” It would:
- Give owners a hearing before seizure.
- Require a 72-hour wait before euthanasia.
- Protect sanctuary animals more.
This could help other rescues.
New York Wildlife Laws: What You Need to Know
Many people own unusual pets. But rules matter. In New York:
- Wild animals like squirrels need licenses.
- Rabies vector species (like raccoons) are banned as pets.
- Rescues must follow rehab rules.
If you find a baby animal:
- Call a licensed rehabber.
- Do not keep it long-term without permits.
These laws protect people and animals. But some say they go too far in cases like Peanut.
Lessons from Peanut’s Story
Peanut showed how social media can make a pet famous. But fame brought complaints. Someone may have been jealous or upset.
The sanctuary continues. Mark and Daniela rescue animals in Peanut’s name. Visit latest news on animal rescues for similar stories.
For more on peanut the squirrel seized, check the main site at laaster.co.uk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Peanut the squirrel? Peanut the squirrel seized on October 30, 2024, and euthanized for rabies testing. He tested negative.
Is it illegal to have a pet squirrel in New York? Yes, without a special license.
Did Peanut really have rabies? No. Tests were clear.
What is the lawsuit about? Owners say rights were violated and seek $10 million.
How many followers did Peanut have? Over 534,000 on Instagram alone.
In Conclusion: Remembering Peanut
The story of peanut the squirrel seized is a sad reminder. Rules are important, but so is kindness. Peanut brought joy to so many. His short life helped animals through the sanctuary. The lawsuit fights for justice. It may change laws for the better.
Peanut and Fred are gone, but not forgotten. Their tale warns about wildlife pets. It also shows love can come in small, furry packages.
What do you think about the peanut the squirrel seized case? Should laws change for rescued animals like him? Share your thoughts below!
References
- CNY Central – Owners sue New York State over Peanut’s death: https://cnycentral.com/news/local/owners-of-seized-internet-famous-squirrel-sue-new-york-state-over-its-death-fred-the-raccoon-mark-longo-daniela-bittner-environmental-conservation-health-department
- YouTube Short – Peanut’s rescue story: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6oWAvJoK9w0
- Kraken – Peanut the Squirrel memecoin info: https://www.kraken.com/price-prediction/peanut-the-squirrel
- New York Times, USA Today, Wikipedia entries on Peanut (squirrel) for timeline and facts (accessed November 2025).
- Official DEC statements on wildlife laws and rabies testing protocols.