Peanut Squirrel's Law Proposal Follows $193K in Donations, Viral Outcry After Euthanized Sanctuary Squirrel
Tejal Somvanshi
Peanut's Law, triggered by a social media star squirrel's euthanization, could reshape New York's wildlife sanctuary protocols with mandatory 72-hour waiting periods and emergency appeals.
What pushed a New York assemblyman to propose sweeping wildlife protection reforms after two sanctuary animals were seized and euthanized within 24 hours?
Mark Longo's seven-year journey with P'Nut the squirrel ended abruptly when DEC officials cited "unsafe housing" and "illegal wildlife keeping" concerns at his Pine City sanctuary.
Public outrage over P'Nut's euthanization transformed a legal defense fundraiser into a $193,000 sanctuary development initiative by November 5, 2023.
A tragedy and disgrace to New York state," declared sanctuary owner Mark Longo to NewsNation, questioning state resources used for the wildlife seizure operation.
Can the proposed DEC expert review board, requiring 48-hour appeal evaluations, prevent future rapid euthanizations of sanctuary animals?
P'Nut's Instagram following surged to 753,000 after the incident, while Assemblyman Blumencranz urged Governor Hochul to investigate the case's handling.
Wildlife experts confirm squirrel-to-human rabies transmission remains rare, with CDC protocols requiring 24-72 hour test result windows.
The DEC's silence continues as rabies test results remain unreleased, leaving questions about the necessity of P'Nut's immediate euthanization.