It started with a knock on the door that changed everything for Mark Longo. If you’ve spent any time on Instagram or TikTok over the last few years, you probably saw Peanut. He was the tiny, resilient squirrel who wore cowboy hats, ate waffles, and lived a life most wild animals could only dream of after being rescued from the literal streets of New York City. But then, the government showed up. In an instant, a beloved internet icon became the center of a massive political and ethical firestorm. People want answers. Specifically, they want to know who complained about Peanut the squirrel and why the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) felt the need to execute a raid that ended in the animal's death.
The internet is a loud place. It’s full of love, sure, but it’s also full of people who feel it's their job to police the lives of others from behind a glowing screen.
The Anonymous Catalyst: Who Actually Called the DEC?
The most frustrating part of this entire ordeal is the lack of a single name. When people ask who complained about Peanut the squirrel, they are usually looking for a "Karen" to blame—a specific neighbor or a disgruntled follower. However, the DEC has remained tight-lipped about the identities of the complainants. What we do know is that there wasn't just one call. According to official reports and statements made by Mark Longo, there were "multiple" anonymous complaints filed against his sanctuary, P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary.
These weren't just random stabs in the dark. The callers specifically cited concerns about the "illegal" housing of wildlife. In the state of New York, it is technically against the law to keep a wild animal as a pet without very specific, very hard-to-get licenses. Longo had been vocal about his journey to get Peanut certified as an educational animal, but for years, he operated in a gray area.
Think about that for a second.
Peanut had been in Longo's care for seven years. Seven years of viral videos, news segments, and public appearances. The "complaints" didn't happen because Peanut was a secret. They happened because he was famous. It’s a classic case of the tall nail getting hammered down. Someone, or perhaps a group of people, decided that the letter of the law was more important than the well-being of a creature that had effectively become domesticated.
The Paper Trail of "Concern"
While the names are redacted, the nature of the complaints focused on two main pillars: public safety and the legality of the sanctuary. The DEC claimed they were worried about the potential for rabies, despite Peanut having lived indoors for nearly a decade.
There is a segment of the "wildlife rehabilitation" community that is extremely strict. These are people who believe that wild animals should never be humanized. To them, seeing a squirrel in a tiny hat isn't cute—it's a violation of nature. It is highly speculated among Longo's supporters that the complaints originated from within these circles, or perhaps from local residents who were bothered by the attention the sanctuary was drawing to their quiet Pine City neighborhood.
The Raid That Sparked an Outcry
On October 30, 2024, at least ten agents from the DEC descended on Longo’s home. It wasn’t a quick check-in. It was a five-hour ordeal. They treated the search for a squirrel and a raccoon named Fred like they were looking for a high-level drug kingpin.
Longo described the scene as traumatizing. His wife was allegedly detained and questioned about their immigration status while agents tore through their belongings. It's easy to see why the public reacted with such vitriol. When you hear about who complained about Peanut the squirrel, you expect the government to use some level of discretion. Instead, the response was heavy-handed.
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The tragedy peaked when the DEC announced that both Peanut and Fred had been euthanized. Why? Because Peanut allegedly bit one of the investigators during the raid. To test for rabies, the animal's brain must be examined, which requires euthanasia. It’s a brutal, archaic protocol that turned a regulatory dispute into a national tragedy.
Why the "Bite" Changed Everything
The bite was the turning point. Up until that moment, there was a slim chance Peanut could have been relocated or that Longo could have finalized the paperwork to keep him. But the moment "public safety" and "rabies risk" entered the chat, the bureaucratic machine went into overdrive.
Critics of the DEC argue that the "bite" was a convenient excuse. If you spend five hours tossing a house and trying to grab a frightened animal, it’s going to defend itself. It’s a squirrel. They have teeth. To use a defensive nip as a death warrant felt, to many, like a malicious application of the law.
The Viral Backlash and Political Fallout
This isn't just about a squirrel anymore. It's about government overreach.
The question of who complained about Peanut the squirrel became a rallying cry for people across the political spectrum. Elon Musk weighed in. Local politicians in New York started calling for investigations into the DEC's priorities. People were rightfully asking why the state spent thousands of taxpayer dollars and dozens of man-hours on a squirrel when there are actual crimes happening in the streets of New York.
- The Funding Argument: New York residents pointed out that while the DEC was raiding a sanctuary, the state was struggling with rising costs and infrastructure issues.
- The Ethical Dilemma: Is a law just if it results in the death of a healthy, loved animal that poses no real threat to the community?
- The "Snitch" Culture: The anonymous nature of the complaints fueled a conversation about how easy it is for a single person to ruin someone's life and business with a phone call.
Honestly, it’s kinda terrifying how quickly a life can be dismantled because of a "complaint" from someone who doesn't even have to put their name on the record.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Law
People often think that if you "rescue" an animal, it's yours. In New York, that’s not how it works. The state technically "owns" all wildlife. Even though Mark Longo saved Peanut after his mother was hit by a car, the state viewed Peanut as their property.
Longo was in the process of filing for "Educational Exhibit" status. He had even moved from Connecticut to New York specifically to have more space for his animals. He was trying to do the right thing, but he was moving too slowly for the bureaucrats. The people who complained about Peanut the squirrel knew this. They knew that by calling the DEC, they weren't just reporting a pet; they were triggering a mandatory response that the DEC, by its own rigid rules, had to follow.
The nuance here is that the DEC could have handled this differently. They could have issued a citation. They could have given a 30-day notice to move the animal to a licensed facility. They chose the raid.
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Moving Forward: The Legacy of Peanut
If you're looking for a silver lining, it’s that Peanut’s death might actually change things. There is now a push for "Peanut’s Law" in New York, which would require more transparency and a longer "grace period" before the state can seize and euthanize animals in these types of situations.
Longo isn't backing down. He’s using the momentum to raise even more awareness for his sanctuary. The tragedy has brought in massive donations, though he'd obviously trade every cent to have his squirrel back.
Actionable Steps for Wildlife Supporters
If this story makes your blood boil, you aren't alone. But instead of just wondering who complained about Peanut the squirrel, you can actually do something to prevent this from happening again.
- Check Local Ordinances Early: If you find a wild animal, contact a licensed rehabilitator immediately. Don't wait until you've bonded with the animal. In many states, once you keep it for more than 24-48 hours, you are technically in violation of the law.
- Support Legislative Reform: Look up "Peanut’s Law" and see if there are petitions or representatives in your state pushing for common-sense wildlife protection laws.
- Vet Your Sources: If you follow "pet" accounts on social media that feature wild animals (raccoons, foxes, squirrels), check if they are licensed. Support those who are doing it legally so they have the protection of the law if a neighbor decides to get "concerned."
- Demand Transparency: Push for local and state agencies to move away from anonymous reporting for non-emergency wildlife issues. Malicious reporting is a real problem, and accountability could stop it.
The reality is that we may never know the name of the person who complained about Peanut the squirrel. They are likely hiding in the shadows, watching the chaos they sparked. But the legacy of that little squirrel in the cowboy hat is now much bigger than a single phone call. He’s become a symbol of the fight against bureaucratic overreach and a reminder that sometimes, the law lacks the very thing that makes us human: compassion.
The sanctuary continues to operate, and Longo is dedicated to making sure Fred and Peanut didn't die for nothing. It's a heavy price to pay for internet fame, but the conversation it started about government priority and animal rights isn't going away anytime soon. If anything, the fire is just getting started.