What began as a routine wildlife enforcement action has spiraled into a flashpoint of political outrage and public fury. At the center of the storm: Peanut the squirrel, a social media star whose dramatic seizure and euthanization by New York environmental officers has sparked bomb threats, online backlash, and even campaign trail rhetoric from top political figures.
Peanut, known online as P’nut, was discovered perched on a bathtub by wildlife officials executing a search warrant at the P’nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary on October 30, 2024. His housemate, Fred the raccoon, was found zipped inside a suitcase in a bedroom closet. Both animals were euthanized shortly after their removal, in accordance with state rabies testing protocols.
A Viral Icon and His Unexpected End
Peanut became a local sensation and internet darling through videos posted by sanctuary co-founders Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner, showing the squirrel donning tiny cowboy hats, snacking on waffles, and perching affectionately on Longo’s shoulders. His rise to fame brought both adoration and scrutiny.
According to documents released under freedom of information requests, New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) had been aware of the sanctuary since early 2024, initially treating complaints with low urgency. But that changed dramatically after the arrival of Fred the raccoon — a species considered a high rabies risk — and growing social media reports of potentially illegal animal handling.
A DEC incident report reveals that Peanut bit a wildlife biologist’s gloved thumb during the seizure, leaving a bleeding wound — a pivotal moment that solidified the decision to euthanize and test both animals for rabies.
Public Backlash and Political Spotlight
News of Peanut’s fate quickly exploded beyond local headlines. Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance invoked Peanut’s name at a campaign rally, casting him as a symbol of government overreach and unnecessary state intervention. The incident became a viral flashpoint in the final days of the 2024 presidential race.
Soon, state agencies were inundated with angry calls, emails, and even bomb threats, according to internal reports. One message to officials read, “I want to know exactly why you freaks killed Peanut the squirrel. You people are insane.” Another email simply said: “BURN IN HELL.”
Despite the rapid backlash, authorities did not publicly disclose the negative rabies test results until nearly two weeks after the animals were killed — a delay that further inflamed public distrust.
Was Peanut’s Death Preventable?
While officials argue they followed proper protocol, critics, including Longo and Bittner, say Peanut’s death was avoidable. DEC records indicate that in the days leading up to the seizure, a wildlife rehabilitator had been considered to take custody of Peanut. However, after the squirrel bit a handler, the case was escalated.
An email from a county health official the day of the seizure stated plainly: “We fully expect that all ‘wild’ animals in the home will need to be euthanized.”
“The poor animals didn’t do anything wrong,” the same official added in another message.
A Crisis Spurs Reform
The fallout prompted an internal investigation by the DEC, which has since vowed changes. Agency leadership announced the addition of a deputy commissioner for public protection and the development of a body-camera policy for field officers.
“We understand the distress caused to communities throughout the state,” said acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton in a statement. “We know that we can do better moving forward.”
Meanwhile, Peanut’s legacy lives on — not just as a viral sensation, but as a flashpoint in a growing national conversation about wildlife law enforcement, public trust, and the line between regulation and overreach.
