An unexpected rallying cry has taken over social media just days before the U.S. presidential election, as thousands unite under the hashtag “Justice for Peanut” to demand accountability after New York state wildlife officials euthanized a well-known pet squirrel. Peanut, the cowboy-hat-wearing squirrel who had charmed over half a million Instagram followers, was seized and euthanized by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) last week, sparking a firestorm of outrage.
Peanut’s owner, Mark Longo, who had raised the squirrel for seven years, says officials from the DEC “used excessive force” during the raid on his property. He claims that Peanut, along with a pet raccoon named Fred who was also euthanized, was living in a safe, healthy environment. Longo took to social media to share his heartbreak and vowed to pursue legal action, calling for “Justice for Peanut” and accusing state officials of cruelty.
RIP Peanut The Squirrelpic.twitter.com/SyWBliHFp6
— KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) November 2, 2024
His call for justice struck a chord with the public—and Trump’s campaign. At a rally in Sanford, North Carolina, Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, declared the incident a prime example of “misplaced government priorities.” Vance told the crowd that Trump is “fired up” over the story, adding, “The same government that doesn’t care about hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants in our country doesn’t want Americans to keep a pet squirrel.”
Support for Peanut has surged, with Longo’s GoFundMe campaign already raising $140,000 to fight the DEC’s decision. Mark Longo’s Instagram account has become a hub for supporters, where users share memories of Peanut’s antics and voice their outrage over his tragic end.
New York Congressman Nick Langworthy joined the outcry, criticizing Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership and saying the state “has sanctuaries for illegal immigrants but kills beloved pets.” The DEC maintains that their actions were in response to public health concerns, claiming they received “multiple reports” that Longo’s home was not a safe environment for wildlife.
As the hashtag #JusticeforPeanut continues to spread, Peanut’s fans and political supporters alike are using his story to draw attention to what they call an “overreach” by state officials. The adorable squirrel, who wore cowboy hats and starred in countless Instagram posts, has posthumously become a symbol of defiance—and a call for government accountability.
