In a recent interview Mark Longo, Peanut’s owner said that he was treated like a ‘terrorist’ during the 5 hours raid on his home.
During an interview with TMZ, Longo explained that the government agents came with a search warrant to seize both Peanut and Fred the raccoon.
“They treated me like I was a terrorist. They treated this raid as if I was a drug dealer. They ransacked my house for five hours,” Longo told TMZ.
“They asked my wife, who is of German descent, what her immigration status was. They asked if I had cameras in my house. They wouldn’t allow me to go to the bathroom without a police escort, who then checked the back of the toilet to see if I was hiding anything there.”
Peanut, or “PNUT,” was rescued seven years ago by Longo, after Peanut’s mother was killed by a car. Longo, who couldn’t find a shelter to take him in, raised Peanut from infancy.
PNUT was a social media sensation and according to Longo, he became the cornerstone of their non-profit animal rescue organisation, Peanut’s Freedom Farm to help the neglected animals, which currently shelters more than 300 animals.
Elon Musk also targeted Democratic party on Peanut situation, he wrote on X, “Democratic Party priority list …”
Mark Longo, whose pet squirrel P’nut had won the hearts of 3 million social media users, was shocked when a convoy of vehicles from the state departments of Environmental Conservation and Health arrived at his Pine City home on Wednesday.
They served him with an unexpected warrant to seize P’nut and Fred
The state claimed both animals had to be euthanized Friday to test for rabies after the squirrel allegedly bit an official. Test results are pending.
Longo said while it’s illegal to keep squirrels or raccoons as pets, he couldn’t leave them outside. The DEC said the raid followed complaints about his raccoon, Fred, but Longo insists they used this as an excuse to seize his squirrel, Peanut.
The DEC claims P’nut bit an official, but Longo disputes this, noting that officials wore thick protective gloves.
He’s demanding an investigation into the rabies claim and plans to file a motion for officials’ medical records.
