Elmira, NY: Farewell to Pโnut the Squirrel Amid Controversy
In a shocking turn of events, beloved internet sensation Pโnut the squirrel has been euthanized by state environmental officials, igniting controversy and outrage among pet lovers and animal rights advocates. Pโnut’s story and the circumstances surrounding his tragic end were brought to light by local residents, Mark and Daniela Longo, who owned an animal sanctuary called โPโnut’s Freedom Farmโ near Elmira.
Claims of Jealousy and Financial Success
The Longos believe that someone may have reported them to the state out of jealousy as they enjoyed financial success by promoting their sanctuary through Pโnutโs online adventures. Mark noted, โMaybe itโs someone who thinks I use this place to make a lot of money. Did this do wonders to my OnlyFans? Absolutely. Itโs making a lot of money from this.โ
The couple reportedly made an astonishing $800,000 in just one month from their adult content online, and Pโnut played a significant role in attracting attention to their efforts. Mark shared that he had created a separate Instagram account for Pโnut to showcase the squirrel’s playful moments, which also drove traffic to their adult content but clarified, โI completely separated myself from this entire thing.โ
Authorities Step In
However, their success turned sour when the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) conducted a raid on their farm, claiming concerns over rabies. During this raid, they seized not only Pโnut but also Fred, a raccoon who lived at the sanctuary. Sadly, both were euthanized just days later over the stateโs rabies fears linked to human contact.
A Community Outrage
The community’s reaction has been overwhelmingly sympathetic towards the Longos. Mark described a recent encounter at a supermarket, where people recognized him from the front page of a newspaper featuring a headline about the incident. โThey just kind of smiled and nodded,โ he recalled. Others have expressed their support directly to the couple at places like restaurants, reinforcing their local hero status.
Public outcry has reached such a level that lawmakers have taken notice. State Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz has publicly proposed a new piece of legislation, to be called the โPeanuts Law: Humane Animal Protection Act.โ This proposed law would require a 72-hour waiting period before an animal can be euthanized after being seized from a sanctuary. Blumencranz stated, โWhat happened to Pโnut was a tragedy,โ emphasizing that this could lead to positive change in animal rights. The proposed measure would allow sanctuary owners to challenge decisions and ensure fair processes are followed.
Political Reactions
Political reactions have not been limited to the state assembly. Prominent figures, including a spokesperson for former Governor Andrew Cuomo and U.S. Representative Marc Molinaro, have taken to social media to criticize how the current administration managed the situation. Azzopardi tweeted about the need for better oversight within state agencies, while Molinaro called for an official apology from Governor Kathy Hochul. The hashtag โ#Justice4Peanutโ has started to trend among supporters.
Financial Support for the Longos
Amid this storm of controversy, a GoFundMe page in memory of Pโnut has gained traction, raising over $132,000 to support the Longos during this difficult time. People are coming together, united in their grief for Pโnut and their anger at the circumstances of his death.
As the Longos navigate the emotional aftermath of losing their beloved squirrel, their story continues to generate discussions around animal rights, government policies, and the responsibilities of pet ownership. Pโnutโs legacy lives on, as he has inspired a movement pushing for more humane treatment of animals within state policies.
