Famous squirrel on Instagram seized by the US authorities

Mark Longo, the caretaker of an internet-famous squirrel named Peanut, is pleading with New York authorities to return the animal after it was seized during a raid. The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) raided Longo’s home following complaints of potentially unsafe housing for the animal.

In an emotional Instagram post, Mr. Longo said, “To the group of people who called DEC, there’s a special place in hell for you,” expressing his outrage over the seizure. He added that he did not know if the ash-colored rodent had been euthanized. As of Friday morning, a petition for Peanut’s return had amassed more than 20,000 signatures.

In subsequent posts on Instagram on Thursday, Mr. Longo mentioned he was raising money for legal fees against the DEC. A statement from the DEC revealed that an investigation was initiated after receiving “multiple reports from the public about the potentially unsafe housing of wildlife that could carry rabies and the illegal keeping of wildlife as pets.” However, the current condition of the squirrel has not been clarified by the DEC.

Mr. Longo took Peanut in seven years ago after he spotted the baby squirrel next to its mother, who had been hit by a car. He cared for Peanut until the squirrel was strong enough to be released but was shocked to find Peanut back on his porch the following morning with “a chunk of his tail missing.”

Peanut’s Instagram account has gained over 500,000 followers, showcasing videos of the squirrel playing skits with Mr. Longo, occasionally dressed in hats, often climbing over him or being hugged, and regularly enjoying waffles. During the raid, the DEC also seized a raccoon that Mr. Longo had acquired in recent months and named Fred.