New York introduces “Peanut’s Law” after innocent squirrel’s death goes viral

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Following the tragic demise of beloved internet sensation Peanut the Squirrel in 2024, I find myself advocating for a change in our city’s laws as a gamer and animal lover. New York politicians are now proposing a bill that would grant animals the right to due process before they are scheduled for euthanasia, ensuring their lives are respected and valued just like ours.

In simpler terms, the proposed legislation, fondly known as ‘Peanut’s Law,’ mandates that there should be a 3-day hold on putting down any animals confiscated by the state prior to their euthanasia.

On Tuesday, April 8, Peanut’s Law was formally presented at the New York State Capitol building, with Mark and Daniela Long, Peanut’s previous caretakers, standing by on the steps.

As I find myself seated here, fighting back tears, I can’t help but feel the weight of emotion as I express my conviction: Enacting this law is a significant step towards ensuring the voices of our furry companions will no longer be overlooked or silenced. Mark Longo shared these heartfelt words in a touching statement.

I cherished those animals deeply, and I’m determined to take action to prevent such a terrible incident from happening in the future.

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A post shared by Jake Blumencranz (@jakeblumencranz_ny)

Peanut’s Law hopes to save animals’ lives after viral squirrel’s death

In the latter part of 2024, Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz initially proposed a bill, expressing his view that the government’s action in euthanizing Peanut was excessive and intrusive.

As a passionate pet owner, I’ve helped establish “Peanut’s Law” with the aim of ensuring a mandatory 72-hour wait for any appeals process to take place, allowing ample time for veterinary care if needed.

On October 30, 2024, representatives from New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation broke into the Longos’ residence and took custody of two well-known squirrels, namely Peanut and Fred.

I, a passionate gamer, found myself in an unexpected situation when agents stormed into my home, acting as if they were on a mission to seize contraband. But instead of drugs and weapons, they were after something far more innocent – a squirrel! It felt like they were targeting me as a criminal, rather than a fellow enthusiast.

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A post shared by Peanut The Squirrel (@peanut_the_squirrel12)

According to the DEC, they’ve gotten several accounts from the public concerning possible unhealthy living conditions for animals that might harbor rabies and the illicit ownership of animals as pets.

On November 1, the Longos shared a heartfelt video on Instagram announcing that Peanut and Fred had been put to sleep, though it appears the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) had recommended they undergo rabies testing as early as October 23 and were euthanized on October 29.

In other words, testing for rabies requires examination of an animal’s brain, which can only be done after its execution. This means that these animals were destined for death before the raid took place.

For about seven years before his passing, Peanut and Longo had a close friendship that gained them around 900,000 followers on Instagram. These followers enjoyed watching the amusing activities of this charming little creature.

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A post shared by Peanut The Squirrel (@peanut_the_squirrel12)

Mark Longo took care of Peanut, a squirrel, following the unfortunate incident where Peanut’s mother was struck by a car. After eight months of rehabilitation, Mark attempted to release him back into the wild, but Peanut returned with his tail bone protruding. This made Mark understand that Peanut might not have the skills needed to survive on his own in the wilderness, so he chose to keep Peanut as a permanent resident in his home.

Introducing Peanut’s Law brings optimism to Longo and fellow animal enthusiasts, as they believe it could prevent tragic circumstances and ensure the safety of countless furry companions in the future.

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2025-04-11 01:18