Viral squirrel named Peanut seized from owner after netizens reported him to wildlife management

As a gamer who has spent countless hours interacting with digital animals, I find myself deeply saddened by the real-life separation of Peanut the squirrel and his owner, Mark Longo. Having experienced the emotional bond between a player character and their virtual pet, I can only imagine the heartache felt by Longo in this situation.

Peanut, the squirrel with over half a million followers on social media, was taken away from his owner. However, a petition is now circulating in an effort to reunite him with his beloved companion.

On October 30, the well-known pet squirrel of Mark Longo, named Peanut, was taken into custody by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). This is another way of saying that DEC confiscated Peanut, who is popular on Instagram and belongs to Mark Longo.

Longo stated that officials from the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) unexpectedly searched his home, supposedly in search of a squirrel, without presenting a search warrant. He felt as though he was being treated like a criminal, with the same intensity as if they were searching for illegal substances and weapons.

For the past seven years, Peanut and his guardian Longo have formed an unbreakable bond on Instagram. Their story began when Longo saved Peanut after witnessing his mother being struck by a vehicle.

Following a span of eight months under home-based rehabilitation, Longo ultimately let Peanut go back into its natural habitat. Yet, this companion made a quick return not long afterwards.

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A post shared by Peanut The Squirrel (@peanut_the_squirrel12)

After a couple of days, I stumbled upon him sitting on my front step, with half his tail gone and a visible bone poking out – it was quite a sight. That’s when it dawned on me that this buddy of mine might not have the necessary skills to make it in the wild.” (Said by a gamer, speaking about a pet or a character from a game)

After Longo started sharing Peanut on social platforms, the squirrel swiftly garnered a following due to its lively demeanor. Yet, it was primarily the internet that led to Peanut being confiscated by the DEC.

A spokesperson for the DEC confirmed that the agency initiated an inquiry following numerous public complaints regarding suspected substandard accommodation for wild animals, some of which might harbor rabies, and the unlawful ownership of wildlife as domestic pets.

On Instagram, Longo admitted defeat to the internet, ‘You’ve claimed one of my incredible animals due to self-centeredness.’ To those who reported this matter to DEC, there’s a particular corner of disdain reserved in the underworld for you.

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A post shared by Peanut The Squirrel (@peanut_the_squirrel12)

Under New York’s state regulations, it is illegal for people to own a wild animal unless they have obtained a permit. However, Longo stated that he was in the process of acquiring this permit prior to Peanut being seized.

Currently, Longo is unsure whether his pet has been put to sleep or is still alive, as he stated, “I’m uncertain about Peanut’s current status. I don’t have any information about where he might be.

He’s also started a GoFundMe campaign and initiated a petition so that Peanut can go back to his original home, which is rightfully his.

It’s not just Longo who has run into trouble with wildlife authorities; in October, an Instagram model was also charged, potentially facing fines of up to $26,000, after she fed a whole rotisserie chicken to a crocodile.

2024-11-01 19:48

Viral squirrel named Peanut seized from owner after netizens reported him to wildlife management

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