Oh, nuts.
A rescued pet squirrel that sat atop a social media and charity empire has been seized by New York state. The owner says he is about to be euthanized, according to an Instagram post.
Peanut the Squirrel was removed from his home in Elmira, New York, on Wednesday by Department of Environmental Conservation officials, who issued an arrest warrant for Peanut’s guardians after receiving complaints about “unlawfully possessed” animals, the post said.
“Well internet, you won,” reads the caption from account Peanut_The_Squirrel12. “You took one of the most amazing animals from me because of your selfishness. To the group of people who called DEC, there is a special place in hell for you.”
A DEC spokesperson confirmed to The Post that officers took Peanut the Squirrel and a pet raccoon.
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The squirrel’s owner, Mark Longo, claimed he was “shocked” and “in disbelief” that DEC would allegedly euthanize his pet and friend, according to the social media post.
The DEC said the animals were seized in collaboration with the Chemung County Health Department “due to the presence of a rabis vector species (raccoon) in the home.”
The state agency did not comment on whether the animals will be euthanized.
Longo took Peanut in seven years ago, when he was just a cat, after seeing his mother hit by a car, according to social media accounts.
Peanut has 532,000 followers on Instagram, more than 423,000 followers on Facebook and more than 2 million views on TikTok.
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A native of Connecticut, Longo moved to Elmira in 2023 to start an animal shelter called P’Nut’s Freedom Farm, a 501.C.3 approved nonprofit.
“Last year we moved to New York in hopes of starting a NONPROFIT animal rescue in PNUT’s name. (P’Nuts Freedom Farm) will forever live in the memories of PNUT,” Longo wrote in the post announcing Peanut’s seizure.
“With more than 350 rescues, we rely heavily on PNUT and its internet family for donations to help more animals. I don’t even know how I’m going to continue to raise money for this nonprofit.”
P’Nut’s Freedom Farm is an organization made up of veterinarians and caregivers dedicated to rescuing animals from abusive or dire situations, according to the group’s website.
Following the announcement of Peanut’s capture, Longo posted several Department of Environmental Conservation phone numbers on his feed, asking his supporters to call in protest of the government’s actions.
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There is also a petition to return Peanut to his rightful home.
This isn’t the first time the DEC has found itself in public relations hot water over the seizure of a beloved pet.
Earlier this year, the department seized a 750-pound alligator from a home in Hamburg, New York, which was equipped with a huge room and a swimming pool for the reptile’s comfort.
“Albert,” the alligator, had lived in his home for 34 years and was raised by guardian Tony Cavallaro, who is now suing the department to regain custody of his old friend.
