After Euthanizing Peanut The Squirrel, New York Still Hasn't Returned His Remains to His Owner

Months after the squirrel was euthanized, the state still hasn't returned the rodent's remains.

Peanut the squirrel's owner still hasn't been able to bury his beloved pet.

Months after the squirrel was euthanized by the state, the state still hasn't returned the rodent's remains.

"Today hurt me really bad. To be honest, I'm still shocked and really upset with the response," Mark Longo said in a statement. "It took DEC almost five months to respond, and they respond with, 'We can do better.' Five months of not knowing why Peanut was killed. Five months, and we still don't have the whereabouts of Peanut's and Fred's bodies. No answers. There's no remorse. I'm just at a loss."

This comes after DEC agents raided Longo's home and took Peanut and Fred. Ultimately, they euthanized both of them.

He wrote several months ago, "Well internet, you WON. You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness. To the group of people who called DEC, there's a special place in hell for you. Today at 10am Wednesday, Oct 30, 2024... The NY State DEC showed up to my house and took Peanut. He was TAKEN to the EUTHANIZED."

He continued, "Im in shock, disbelief, and disgusted to the people who did this to, PNUT. For the last 7 years, Peanut has been my best friend. He's been the center of my world and many of yours for so long, I don't know how to process this, emotionally. Last year we moved to NY in hopes of starting a NONPROFIT animal rescue in PNUT's Name."

Later on Wednesday, Amanda Lefton, acting director of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, apologized for the way that agents handled the squirrel.

"We know that we can do better moving forward," Lefton said. "We have carefully reviewed all public feedback and we understand the distress caused to communities throughout the state. I have prioritized a review of our current wildlife protection and enforcement process to protect New Yorkers and this agency from similar incidents in the future."

The agency said that it's agents acted in accordance with state law when they seized the squirrels from Longo's home after receiving complaints about the squirrels being in an unsafe environment. The agency added that they had no intention of returning the squirrels to an unsafe environment.

"The Department's actions were guided by a deep commitment to the welfare of all living creatures and the balance of the ecosystem," the agency said. "We remain dedicated to fulfilling our mission with professionalism and respect for the diverse range of perspectives within the communities we serve."

The state's handling of Peanut sparked outrage among animal lovers, who started a petition to get the squirrels returned to Longo or have them buried in a respectful manner.

"It appears that the state agency was intent on keeping the true facts of the matter hidden from the public and preferred instead to release an incomplete narrative in response to the outpouring of anger and sadness from the community," the petition reads. "The actions of the DEC agents and the handling of Peanut and Fred have deeply saddened and angered many people."