Sun Nov 03 20:06:02 UTC 2024: ## Squirrel Social Media Star Seized by NY Wildlife Officials
**Pine City, NY** – Mark Longo, a New York man who turned a rescued squirrel into a social media sensation, is pleading with state authorities to return his beloved pet, Peanut, after it was seized during a raid on his home.
Peanut, who boasts hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms, was taken by officers from the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on Wednesday, October 30th, along with a raccoon named Fred. The raid was prompted by multiple anonymous complaints alleging unsafe housing of the animals, potentially carrying rabies, and illegal possession of wildlife as pets.
Longo, who runs an animal refuge called P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, is distraught over Peanut’s disappearance. He fears that Peanut has been euthanized and is calling for the return of his “amazing animal.”
The DEC has declined to comment on Peanut’s fate, but stated that the agency received multiple reports from the public about the potential dangers associated with keeping wildlife as pets.
Longo insists he was in the process of obtaining the necessary permits to keep Peanut as an educational animal. He also maintains that he was caring for Fred, the raccoon, with the intention of rehabilitating him for release back into the wild.
This isn’t the first time New York authorities have faced criticism for confiscating beloved pets. A Buffalo man is currently suing the DEC to get his 750-pound alligator back after it was seized earlier this year.
Longo’s story underscores the complex and often controversial issue of owning wild animals as pets. While some individuals may consider these animals companions, authorities emphasize the potential risks associated with their care and the need for strict regulations to protect both public safety and the animals themselves.
First Piper 