In November of 2024 we brought you the awful story of Peanut the Squirrel (also known as P’Nut) and his furry friend, Fred the Raccoon. They had been rescued by a New Yorker named Mark Longo and were leading happy lives at his Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary. The state Department of Environmental Conservation decided that it all sounded too cute, raided the sanctuary, took Peanut and Fred, and promptly killed them.
The incident created a huge public outcry and Peanut—who was already an internet sensation due to his adorable antics—became an even bigger internet star when the videos went even more viral.
I feel so sorry for this guy. The government came and took his squirrel “Peanut”, which he’s owned for 7 years, and another pet raccoon and euthanized them both, for no apparent reason.
“Peanut” was the mascot for his animal non-profit and had a social media following of over a… pic.twitter.com/5EfoOKqelE
— 🇺🇸↪️aptain Ⓜ️organ🇺🇸 (@CaptainMorganTN) November 2, 2024
The above tweet, which has been viewed more than 3.6 million times, continues:
“Peanut” was the mascot for his animal non-profit and had a social media following of over a million people.
When the government shows you and tells you who they are—believe them.
Why was it such a big deal when there are wars and poverty and the economy and things that are obviously much more consequential than the life of a squirrel? In my view, it’s because it was Exhibit A for government overreach and its often callous treatment of its citizens. Plus, on a gut level, it struck many as just plain wrong.
More: Government Overreach Run Amok: NY State Kills Peanut the Squirrel
P’Nut the Squirrel Must Be Avenged! Couple Takes Action Against Nasty Government Overreach
Unfortunately, the story doesn’t get any better with the new information that conservative group Judicial Watch got out of the Environmental Department:
BREAKING: Judicial Watch received 163 pages of records from the NY State Dept of Environmental Conservation in a lawsuit which show authorities had planned to euthanize a squirrel named “Peanut” & a raccoon named “Fred” before they were seized from NY resident Mark Longo (1/3). pic.twitter.com/CdlswpyXpK
— Judicial Watch ⚖️ (@JudicialWatch) April 22, 2025
In two follow-up tweets, Judicial Watch wrote:
“New York State bureaucrats did not want to turn over these documents, but Judicial Watch’s lawsuit forced their hand,” Judicial Watch President @TomFitton… 2/3
“The documents show an abuse of power where 12 officers were sent in on a raid to seize Peanut and Fred, who the bureaucrats decided beforehand would be killed @TomFitton.” 3/3
The group also issued a statement about the new information:
These documents show the killing of Peanut the Squirrel and Fred the Racoon was the result of pure government abuse and insanity.”
The event sparked public outrage. President Trump’s supporters “denounced the death of Peanut the Squirrel as a case of government overreach.” JD Vance, campaigning for President Trump, said that then-candidate Trump was “fired up” about Peanut being euthanized.
As I described in one of my previous pieces about this case, I’ve come to love the ingenious squirrels that own my backyard, and if anyone came for them they might just have to “say hello to my little friend.”
Now let’s just hope the faceless, heartless bureaucrats see some actual legal consequences.
In memoriam:
This is one of my favorite pages on TikTok.
Peanut the squirrel was rescued 7 years ago by this man.
He had the BEST LIFE!
Wildlife officials raided his home, and took peanut, and his raccoon because of unsafe living conditions for wildlife animals.
Peanut was euthanized.… pic.twitter.com/XJLQo0eis0
— Carole Mac (@HerbsandDirt) November 1, 2024
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