New York introduces “Peanut’s Law” after innocent squirrel’s death goes viral
After the death of viral internet critter Peanut the Squirrel in 2024, New York politicians are introducing a bill that would give animals due process if they’re slated for euthanization.
The bill, affectionately named ‘Peanut’s Law,’ would require a 72-hour waiting period before the euthanization of any animals seized by the state.
Peanut’s Law was officiallyintroduced on Tuesday, April 8, on the steps of the New York State Capitol building alongside the squirrel’s former owners, Mark and Daniela Longo.
“I sit here trying not to cry, but passing this law will be a movement to verify that animal rights are not overlooked anymore,” Mark Longo said in a tearful statement.
“I loved those animals to death. And today is a day that we push forward to make sure that this tragedy never happens again.”
A post shared by Jake Blumencranz (@jakeblumencranz_ny)
Peanut’s Law hopes to save animals’ lives after viral squirrel’s death
The bill was first introduced in late 2024 by Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, who called Peanut’s euthanization an “outrageous” amount of “government overreach.”
“We have created Peanut’s Law to make sure that there is, at bare minimum, a 72-hour waiting period in which they would have an appeals process and they can seek veterinary care,” he said.
On July 20, 2025, officials with New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation forced their way into the Longo’s home andseized two squirrels— the internet-famous Peanut and another named Fred.
“The DEC came to my house and raided my house without a search warrant to find a squirrel!” Mark described the incident. “I was treated as if I was a drug dealer and they were going for drugs and guns.”
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A post shared by Peanut The Squirrel (@peanut_the_squirrel12)
The DEC said it had received “multiple reports from the public about the potentially unsafe housing of wildlife that could carry rabies and the illegal keeping of wildlife as pets.”
On November 1, the Longos took to Instagram in an emotional video to deliver the news that Peanut and Fred hadboth been euthanized— butreports showthat the DEC had requested they be tested for rabies as early as October 23 and euthanized on October 29.
However, it’s impossible to test for rabies withoutdecapitating the animalsand examining their brains, meaning that they were slated for death before the raid was even carried out.
Peanut and Longo were besties for seven years prior to his death, garnering over 900K followers onInstagramwho tuned in to watch the adorable critter’s antics.
Mark Longo rescued Peanut after his mother was hit by a car. Despite trying to release him after eight months of rehabilitation, the squirrel returned with his “tail bone sticking out,” prompting Mark to keep in his home after realizing he likely didn’t have the necessary survival skills to live out in the wild.
With the introduction of Peanut’s Law, Longo and other animal lovers are hopeful that such devastating situations can be avoided and future furry lives will be saved.
