New York State officials poked a virtual hornet’s nest when they confiscated and euthanized internet sensation Peanut the squirrel and a raccoon named Fred that was also rescued and kept as a pet.
Mark and Daniela Longo, Peanut’s owners, told TMZ that state officials had raided their home as if they were “drug dealers” and had taken both the squirrel and the raccoon — which they had rescued and kept in their home — and euthanized them.
“It not only tears my family apart, but Peanut was the cornerstone of our non-profit animal rescue,” Longo said. “And ten to twelve DEC officers raided my house as if I was a drug dealer. I sat outside my house for five hours. I had to get a police escort to my bathroom. I wasn’t even allowed to feed my rescue horses breakfast or lunch. I sat there like a criminal after they interrogated my wife to check her immigration status.”
Video of their plight quickly went viral, sparking reactions from animal lovers everywhere and inspiring a number of tribute memes dedicated to the two small mammals.
“Reagan” actor Trevor Donovan, well known on X for his love for animals, posted, “This is heartbreaking and infuriating. It’s hard to believe that New York officials would go to such extremes over a cute little squirrel. This situation makes you question what’s happening to compassion and common sense in our laws.”
This is heartbreaking and infuriating. It’s hard to believe that New York officials would go to such extremes over a cute little squirrel. This situation makes you question what’s happening to compassion and common sense in our laws. https://t.co/JfeQaubjEP
— Trevor Donovan (@TrevDon) November 2, 2024
“Peanut and Fred were beautiful creatures. The New York government decided that they needed to be put down to check if they had rabies. They did not have rabies,” Ian Miles Cheong posted, sharing a video of Fred happily drinking from a Dunkin’ cup.
Peanut and Fred were beautiful creatures. The New York government decided that they needed to be put down to check if they had rabies.
They did not have rabies. pic.twitter.com/dBoCYIARe7
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) November 2, 2024
A number pointed to the fact that the Democratic Party controls New York, and argued that putting Democrats in charge of the United States in the November 5 general election would only result in more overreach.
“Make sure everyone you know hears the story of Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon. The Democrats went too far this time. They raided this man because a hater reported them for having these pets. New York stole the animals and KILLED them. This is the Democrat Party,” Robby Starbuck posted.
Make sure everyone you know hears the story of Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon. The Democrats went too far this time. They raided this man because a hater reported them for having these pets. New York stole the animals and KILLED them. This is the Democrat Party. pic.twitter.com/e5A9jkbLiS
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) November 2, 2024
“My inbox is being flooded with Peanut the Squirrel memes at a rate never thought possible …” Ashley St. Clair added.
My inbox is being flooded with Peanut the Squirrel memes at a rate never thought possible… pic.twitter.com/UpC9WUhQaD
— Ashley St. Clair (@stclairashley) November 2, 2024
“The euthanization of a squirrel named Peanut and a raccoon named Fred may have been the final straw,” another added.
The euthanization of a squirrel named Peanut and a raccoon named Fred may have been the final straw. pic.twitter.com/hp7OVoCIqM
— Leslie-Lou (@lalasugarloaf) November 2, 2024
Someone who self-identified as a former drug dealer agreed with those who said that Democrats would only continue to take the United States further down that same path.
“As a former drug dealer who has been raided under criminal pretenses by the State of New York, I would like to opine on the Mark Longo and Peanut situation as an expert. If you told me this was an SNL parody of what a future Democrat run anarcho-tyranny state looked like, I would believe you,” the post read.
“Guy runs a[n] animal rescue non-profit;10 officers raid his house >not allowed to use bathroom alone; not allowed to feed his other rescue animals; interrogated wife about immigration status; search warrant from 4 bureaucratic departments; they put down the squirrel and his raccoon,” the post continued. “Just absolute clown world government and maniacs running the place. We need Trump really bad.”
As a former drug dealer who has been raided under criminal pretenses by the State of New York, I would like to opine on the Mark Longo and Peanut situation as an expert.
If you told me this was an SNL parody of what a future Democrat run anarcho-tyranny state looked like, I… pic.twitter.com/yeod3O3nRp
— VISH BURRA 🏴☠️ (@VishBurra) November 2, 2024
“The government euthanizes a squirrel three days before an election and that prevents Liz Cheney from being Secretary of Defense and therefore stops WW3. Rest easy, little Peanut. You saved us,” came from ComfortablySmug.
The government euthanizes a squirrel three days before an election and that prevents Liz Cheney from being Secretary of Defense and therefore stops WW3.
Rest easy, little Peanut. You saved us.
— Comfortably Smug (@ComfortablySmug) November 2, 2024
“Americans after the government f*cks them for decades: [crickets]. Americans after the government kills Peanut the squirrel [declare war].”
Americans after the government f*cks them for decades: 🦗🦗🦗
Americans after the government kills Peanut the squirrel: pic.twitter.com/ZROmNCmCeG
— Clandestine (@WarClandestine) November 2, 2024
“If Peanut the Squirrel was an illegal immigrant who was dealing fentanyl and raping women, New York Democrats would give him $5,000 and a cell phone,” Ian Haworth noted.
If Peanut the Squirrel was an illegal immigrant who was dealing fentanyl and raping women, New York Democrats would give him $5,000 and a cell phone. https://t.co/ioKYhTvmsT
— Ian Haworth (@ighaworth) November 2, 2024
“Peanut the squirrel is going to become the next Harambe. Both unjustly executed,” Fox News reporter Bill Melugin posted.
Peanut the squirrel is going to become the next Harambe.
Both unjustly executed. 😤
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) November 2, 2024
And even more followed:
My entire feed right now is a rallying homage to Peanut the Squirrel! LFG! pic.twitter.com/yPzC7sydg2
— Justin Hart (@justin_hart) November 2, 2024
The calvary is coming Peanut!!!! pic.twitter.com/gqnwsgDoV3
— Ashley St. Clair (@stclairashley) November 2, 2024
“His name was – PEANUT. And they killed him, Joe. Killed him like a dog. These are sick people, Joe, they’re sick people. And Peanut was totally innocent. But they killed him like it was nothing.” pic.twitter.com/gNgkYfZXBP
— pub (@smubpublius) November 2, 2024
“They did *what* to Peanut?” pic.twitter.com/gSq2Ei2jju
— Wade Stotts (@wadestotts) November 2, 2024
Peanut went out fighting. Til Valhalla. pic.twitter.com/DM8lh5IiJa
— Mostly Peaceful Memes (@MostlyPeacefull) November 2, 2024
Radicalized Squirrels In MAGA Hats Begin Uprising https://t.co/90thVcIcgm pic.twitter.com/WI8NSnLFyD
— The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) November 2, 2024