A squirrel made famous on social media has been seized by police – as his heartbroken owner issues a desperate plea for his safe return.
Peanut has more than 500,000 followers on Instagram, where his doting owner Mark London shares videos of the duo enjoying life in New York.
But their seven years of cohabiting came to an abrupt end on Wednesday (30 October) when the Department of Environmental Conservation reportedly took the squirrel, following reports of “potentially unsafe housing of wildlife that could carry rabies” and the illegal keeping of wildlife as pets.
READ MORE: Police force announces its latest furry recruits – and they’re beyond cute
Mark shared a lengthy Instagram post criticizing those who had reported him, saying: “Well internet, you WON. You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness.
“To the group of people who called DEC, there’s a special place in hell for you.
“I’m in shock, disbelief, and disgusted with the people who did this to PNUT.
“For the last 7 years, Peanut has been my best friend.
“He’s been the center of my world and many of yours for so long, I don’t know how to process this, emotionally.”
A petition to return the squirrel is currently circulating and has garnered 22,000 signatures.
Peanut – also known as ‘PNUT’ – was rescued by Mark seven years ago, after spotting the then-five-week-old critter wandering alone along a busy road in Connecticut after his mother had been run over by a car.
The baby squirrel was injured with only one eye open and a bad back leg, and Mark took him home to nurse him back to health, intending to release him in his garden.
But after an attack from another animal, Mark decided to adopt the critter for good – and the pair have been inseparable ever since.
Mark previously told What’s The Jam: “Peanut and I do pretty much everything together.
“He comes to hang out while I get dressed and brush my teeth.
“We eat breakfast together every morning and we snuggle at night and watch TV along with my cat, Chloe.
“Peanut even helps with the laundry.
“No matter what I’m doing, Peanut is always on my shoulder making sure I’m doing everything right.”
The duo moved to New York last year, where Mark opened the PNUT Freedom Farm non-profit animal rescue, named after his beloved pet – which he worries will now suffer.
In an Instagram post, Mark wrote: “With over 350 rescues, we’ve relied heavily on PNUT and his internet family to gather donations to help more animals.
“I don’t even know how will continue to fundraise for this non-profit.
“To the people who did this… THANK YOU for breaking apart a family and crushing any hopes of our non-profit to survive.”
A GoFundMe page has been launched to raise funds for potential legal expenses and to call on the DEC to “re-evaluate” their decision.
As of this morning (1 November), it has raised over $4,000.
Jam Press has contacted the New York DEC for comment.
READ MORE: Animal shelter shocked as stray kitten turns out to be wildcat
