In a recent interview, Mark Longo, the social media influencer and owner of the late Peanut the Squirrel, addressed rumors that he used the death of his pet squirrel to drive traffic to his OnlyFans account.
Longo, a Pine City, New York native, gained a massive following online by sharing videos of Peanut, an orphaned squirrel he rescued seven years ago, and Fred, a rescued raccoon.
What is the Controversy?
The controversy erupted after the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) conducted a raid on Longo’s home on October 30. Acting on complaints, the DEC confiscated Peanut and Fred, claiming the animals were being kept illegally in an unsafe environment. Shortly after, both animals were euthanized, allegedly to be tested for rabies due to reported bites on one of the investigators. Longo, however, disputes these claims, saying that the animals posed no threat and were wrongly taken without quarantine or investigation.
In response to the seizure, Longo expressed frustration and heartbreak over the DEC’s decision. Speaking to the Associated Press, he voiced disbelief that the state would take away what he describes as “two of the most beloved animals on this planet,” allegedly without providing a chance for quarantine or further inspection. “Honestly, this still kind of feels surreal,” he said. “We will make a stance on how this government and New York state utilizes their resources.”
Longo, who had been in the process of applying for an educational license for Peanut, acknowledged he had not yet secured the necessary permits to legally keep the wild animals. Despite his efforts, he failed to comply with state wildlife regulations in time, leading to the seizure.
The narrative took a more personal turn when Longo alleged that complaints leading to the raid were driven by a neighbor’s disapproval of his OnlyFans account, where he creates adult content with his wife, Daniela. According to Longo, authorities even questioned him about cameras in his home during the raid. Addressing accusations that he capitalized on the animals’ deaths to promote his OnlyFans account, Longo firmly denied any connection between the two. “We’re not trying to promote this,” he told TMZ. “That is not anything what’s going on.”
The DEC and Chemung County Health Department issued a joint statement saying that Peanut and Fred were euthanized due to rabies concerns. This rationale has raised questions, as some have noted the lack of quarantine protocols in handling the animals. Meanwhile, Longo has used his platform to criticize what he sees as a misuse of government resources and is calling for accountability.
Since Peanut’s death, fans and followers of Longo’s accounts have expressed an outpouring of support, mourning the loss of an animal that had become a beloved figure in the online community. Peanut, who Longo rescued after the squirrel’s mother was killed by a car in New York City, had amassed over 700,000 followers on Instagram and about 265,000 followers on TikTok.
ALSO READ: Mark And Daniela Longo’s Battle For Justice After Peanut The Squirrel’s Untimely Death
