You might know Peanut from those viral clips and posts that made the rounds online. Here’s the deal: Mark Longo and his partner, Daniela Bittner, found Peanut as a tiny kit and took him in. They raised him at home, built up a surprising social media following, and then, heartbreakingly, watched as state officials seized and euthanized him.
If you’re curious how a rescued baby squirrel ended up as an internet sensation and the center of a public controversy, you’re in the right place. I’ll walk you through who owned Peanut, how he lived, and why his story exploded online.
You’ll get the facts about ownership, the life Peanut had with the Longos, and the mess that followed.
Ownership and Life of Peanut the Squirrel
Let’s talk about how Peanut ended up in human care. Mark and Daniela looked after him, gave him a home, and he even became best buddies with a raccoon named Fred.
It’s really about the people, the place, and the wild turns in Peanut’s daily life.
How Peanut the Squirrel Was Rescued
So, fans started calling him P’Nut. Around 2017, Mark Longo found him orphaned after a car struck his mother in New York City. Mark tried to find a wildlife shelter, but nobody would take Peanut.
He bottle-fed the little guy for months. Mark kept Peanut because the early taming and Peanut’s injured tail made it pretty much impossible to release him safely.
What started as a rescue turned into a long-term commitment. Mark and Daniela hand-fed him, socialized him with people, and helped him recover at home.
Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner’s Role as Owners
Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner both took care of Peanut and managed his public image. Mark rescued him first and handled most of the feeding and training.
After moving upstate, Daniela got more involved with the sanctuary and daily routines. They used Peanut’s Instagram for fundraising and to get the word out.
Peanut actually helped them raise money for their P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary. They did all this without a state wildlife rehab license, which—yeah—became a problem later.
Peanut’s Life at P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary
Mark and Daniela started P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary after moving upstate in 2023. Peanut lived there as his main home.
The sanctuary said it rescued lots of animals and relied on donations, many from Peanut’s online fans. Peanut lived indoors, hung out with people, and met visitors.
He starred in social media videos, got handled by his owners, and helped with fundraising. But New York law doesn’t really let people keep wild squirrels without permits, so legal trouble was kind of inevitable.
Peanut and Fred the Raccoon: Animal Companionship
Peanut didn’t live alone—he shared space with Fred the raccoon. Mark and Daniela kept both of them together, and the two animals showed up in a bunch of posts.
They really seemed close. You’d see them sharing spaces, hanging out with the caregivers, and popping up in sanctuary videos. Some wildlife experts raised concerns about this, since raccoons can carry diseases more often than squirrels.
This living arrangement actually became a big deal in the investigation. Authorities said it influenced their decisions about rabies testing and public health.
Public Attention, Legal Controversy, and Legacy
Social media blew up over Peanut’s story—there were dramatic posts, a raid, and a lot of heated arguments. People argued about public safety, animal welfare, and if the officials followed the law.
Peanut the Squirrel’s Social Media Fame and Instagram
Chances are, you first saw Peanut on Instagram. Mark posted videos from the sanctuary, showing Peanut with him and other animals.
Those clips helped build a huge following. Donations poured in, and the story spread way past the usual animal rescue crowd.
After the seizure, followers shared clips everywhere, and outrage grew. Local and national media picked up the story, turning it into something much bigger.
The Seizure, Euthanasia, and Rabies Testing Protocol
New York Department of Environmental Conservation and Chemung County Health Department officials showed up, searched the place, and took Peanut and Fred. They said they needed to test for rabies because of public safety concerns.
CDC rules say they have to euthanize animals before testing for rabies. Raccoons often carry rabies, but squirrels almost never do.
Officials claimed the animals were euthanized for testing after someone reported a bite. That became the main argument in the legal fight and the public outcry.
Lawsuits, Legislation, and Public Backlash
Mark and Daniela sued the state and local agencies. They said the seizure and euthanasia were unconstitutional and unlawful.
Their complaint claims the warrant didn’t even allow euthanasia. They’re asking for civil damages.
People responded with social media campaigns, news stories, and calls for new laws. You might’ve heard about proposals like “Peanut’s Law,” which would require a waiting period and hearings before euthanizing seized sanctuary animals.
Politicians and commentators started talking about the case on national TV, pushing for legal reform.
Role of Government Agencies and Officials
At times, Amanda Lefton stepped in as acting commissioner for the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. She and her team faced a lot of scrutiny over how they handled the case.
DEC officials say they responded to complaints and public-safety concerns. They claim they followed public-health protocols as required.
In Chemung County, animal control and local health officials jumped in to coordinate the response. Critics accused these agencies of government overreach and poor communication.
On the other hand, some folks defended the agencies. They argued that the staff had no choice but to follow rabies rules and protect the public.
