Pet Squirrel Saga Leads to Immigration Detention

In Pine City, New York, a pet squirrel named Peanut has become the center of controversy after wildlife officers euthanized the animal two years ago, sparking outrage and claims of government overreach from some Republicans. Among them was JD Vance, who criticized the government’s actions before the 2024 election, stating the incident highlighted Democratic interference.

Now, under the Trump administration, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has detained one of Peanut’s former owners, Daniela Bittner, for possible deportation to Germany. Bittner was arrested in mid-October at a small airport near New York’s border with Pennsylvania. According to DHS, her arrest resulted from overstaying her visa. Since then, her husband, Mark Longo, has reported that she has been moved through several immigration facilities in Texas.

Longo, who described the detention conditions as “deplorable,” attributed her arrest to an immigration paperwork error. He expressed frustration over the situation, saying, “They put Peanut on a pedestal, won their election, and threw him off that pedestal immediately.”

The saga of Peanut, also known as P’nut, began when state officials received multiple complaints about the couple allegedly keeping wild animals, including the squirrel and a raccoon, as pets. During one inspection, Peanut bit a wildlife biologist’s glove and was subsequently euthanized to test for rabies.

The incident garnered public sympathy and drew criticism from Republicans on the campaign trail, including criticism directed at New York’s Democratic governor, Kathy Hochul. Longo expressed discomfort with the political implications, yet he voiced concern over the recurring governmental interventions in his life. “I’m begging the world to find an answer as to why this keeps happening to me,” he said.

Longo explained that he and Bittner mistakenly filled out an immigration form incorrectly while dealing with Peanut’s case. He expressed disbelief over the circumstances, stating, “You’re telling me, all of this because my wife and I forgot to do the proper form?”

Local officials are now examining Bittner’s case. Longo mentioned discussing her arrest with UFC chief Dana White, a Trump ally, whom he met after Peanut’s seizure. Longo emphasized the impact on their animal sanctuary, stating, “The only outcome that will save this place is my wife not being deported.”