Mark Longo’s November 1, 2024 update came at a moment when he still believed Peanut the squirrel might be returned. New York State environmental officials had seized Peanut and a raccoon named Fred from Longo’s property the day before, and Longo said his family was looking for legal help.
That hope did not last. Authorities later said both animals had been euthanized after Peanut bit a wildlife biologist during the seizure. Rabies tests came back negative on November 12, turning the case into a national argument over wildlife laws, animal sanctuaries, public-health rules and due process.
What Mark Longo said on November 1
Longo, who ran an animal sanctuary with Daniela Bittner in Pine City—near Southport and the Pennsylvania border—told followers that there was still “a small chance” Peanut could come home. The family was seeking legal representation, and a fundraiser had reportedly collected more than $7,000 for legal expenses.
His update followed a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation operation on October 30. DEC officers searched the property and removed Peanut and Fred. At that point, Longo’s public statements focused on the seizure and his belief that officials might return the animals.
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Peanut was not an ordinary wildlife story by then. Longo said he had rescued the squirrel roughly seven years earlier after seeing Peanut’s mother killed by a car in New York City. Videos posted on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms showed Peanut wearing miniature clothes, performing tricks and eating waffles. The account attracted a large online audience, although published reports gave different follower estimates over time.
Why the DEC took Peanut and Fred
The DEC said it had received multiple complaints about wildlife allegedly being kept illegally and potentially in unsafe conditions. The complaints included concerns about animals that could carry rabies. Officers seized both animals during the search of Longo’s property.
Longo initially said officials had searched his home without a warrant. Later reporting based on investigative records stated that a judge had signed a search warrant authorizing the seizure of illegally possessed wildlife. That distinction matters: the warrant issue became part of the public debate, but the available reporting does not support presenting the search as warrantless fact.
There was also a legal question over Peanut’s status. Longo said he was trying to have the squirrel certified as an educational animal, but the paperwork had not been completed before the seizure. Under New York law, keeping wild animals requires the appropriate license or authorization. Peanut’s popularity online did not itself create an exemption that made private possession legal.
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The seizure, reported bite and euthanasia
After the seizure, the DEC and Chemung County Health Department said Peanut had bitten a DEC wildlife biologist. Because the bite represented a possible rabies exposure, officials said Peanut and Fred were euthanized so their brain tissue could be examined.
That sequence changed the story from a dispute over whether a famous pet squirrel should be returned into a public-health and animal-welfare controversy. Supporters argued that euthanasia was an extreme response, particularly because Peanut had become a familiar social-media personality. Officials pointed to the established procedure for testing an animal that may have exposed a person to rabies.
The animals’ deaths were reported later on November 1, the same day Longo’s update was circulating. As a result, his statement that there was still a chance of Peanut coming home represented an earlier stage of the case rather than its final outcome.
Rabies tests were negative
On November 12, 2024, tests on Peanut and Fred were reported as negative for rabies. A November environmental-health report from Chemung County also recorded negative results for both specimens.
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The negative findings did not undo the seizure or answer the separate question of whether Longo had been legally authorized to keep the animals. They did, however, intensify criticism of the decision to euthanize them and fueled demands for a closer review of the state’s procedures.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| About seven years before the seizure | Longo said he rescued Peanut after the squirrel’s mother was killed by a car. |
| October 30, 2024 | DEC officers seized Peanut and Fred during a search of Longo’s property. |
| November 1, 2024 | Longo said he was seeking legal help and still hoped Peanut might be returned. Officials also said the animals had been euthanized after the reported bite. |
| November 12, 2024 | Rabies tests on Peanut and Fred were reported negative. |
What happened after the backlash
The public response led the DEC to conduct an internal investigation and review its policies and procedures. Later reporting said the agency planned changes that included creating a deputy commissioner role focused on public protection and developing a body-camera policy for officers.
The case also prompted a legislative response. New York Senate bill S7011, introduced on March 28, 2025, was titled the “Peanut’s Law: Humane Animal Protection Act.” The proposal called for additional protections, appeal rights and due-process safeguards for animals under the care of registered sanctuaries. Its introduction does not mean that it became law.
Longo and Bittner also filed lawsuits in 2025 concerning the seizure and euthanasia. One reported Court of Claims action sought $10 million from New York State. Those filings contain allegations and claims, not findings that have been established by a court.
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Why the story remains complicated
Peanut’s online fame made the dispute highly visible, but it did not settle the underlying legal questions. A rescued wild animal can be deeply bonded with a human caretaker and still require a state license or special authorization. Conversely, a lawful enforcement action can still raise difficult questions about warnings, handling, documentation, appeals and the choice to euthanize.
The most accurate account is therefore chronological rather than sentimental: the DEC seized Peanut and Fred on October 30; Longo said on November 1 that he hoped Peanut might come home; authorities euthanized both animals after a reported bite and rabies-testing protocol; and both animals later tested negative for rabies.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Who was Peanut the squirrel?
Peanut was a rescued squirrel cared for by Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner in New York. Videos of Peanut wearing clothes, performing tricks and eating waffles made the animal widely known on social media.
Why did New York authorities seize Peanut?
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said it received complaints alleging that wildlife was being kept illegally and potentially unsafely. Officers seized Peanut and a raccoon named Fred under a judge-signed search warrant.
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Why were Peanut and Fred euthanized?
Officials said Peanut bit a DEC wildlife biologist during the seizure. Because of the potential rabies exposure, both animals were euthanized so their brain tissue could be tested.
Did Peanut have rabies?
No. Tests on Peanut and Fred were reported negative for rabies on November 12, 2024.
The Bottom Line
Longo’s November 1 update captured the case before its final outcome: he still hoped Peanut would be returned, but the squirrel and Fred had already been seized and were later euthanized after a reported bite triggered rabies testing. Both tests were negative. The controversy continues to center on New York’s wildlife-possession rules, the handling of the seizure and whether sanctuary animals should receive stronger procedural protections.
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