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…
