Who Reported Peanut The Squirrel And Fred The Raccoon?

Peanut, the viral squirrel who gave us joy and boosted his owner’s animal sanctuary, and Fred, the raccoon, were seized and euthanized by New York State authorities. But in the fallout of the animals' tragic end, the internet turned a random woman into a public enemy. As it turns out, she had nothing to do with it.

How Monica Keasler Became the Internet’s Scapegoat

A woman named Monica Keasler found herself in a firestorm after a rumor took over TikTok. An account on the video platform claimed that Keasler had tipped off the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) about Mark Longo, Peanut, and Fred.

People were furious, and they named Keasler the villain. She was doxxed, harassed, and eventually forced to delete her social media accounts to escape the barrage of hate comments and messages.

However, there was – and still isn't – any evidence that Keasler made the call. Mark Longo, Peanut’s owner, had to step in to rectify the situation. “Let’s not falsify and ruin somebody else’s life. Before you go and target another person, let’s get the facts first,” Longo said, urging people to stop harassing Keasler. “Let’s make sure we are not hurting somebody else’s life. Even when we do find out who it is, let’s make sure to understand what their position was before we go after them.”

The Judge Who Reportedly Ended Peanut’s Life

Despite the online frenzy, we still have no clue who called the DEC on Peanut and Fred. But what we do seem to know is who signed off on the warrant that allowed this whole tragedy to go down. Social media sleuths believe that man is Judge Richard Rich Jr., a Chemung County judge who’s been in office since 2013 and is running as a Democrat. According to screenshots of documents, Rich gave the green light for the DEC’s raid, which ended in both animals being put down to test for rabies.

One X user, @jhcrosson, put it bluntly: “This is Richard Rich, the (elected) judge who signed the warrant that killed Peanut. He was originally an independent, but started running as a Democrat in 2013. So, yes, Democrats actually did kill that poor little squirrel. And I am officially switching parties.”

What exactly went down on October 30? Mark Longo’s home in Pine City was swarmed by DEC officers, who had a warrant in hand to seize Peanut and Fred. Longo described the scene as surreal and being treated “like a drug dealer” while officers searched every inch of his house. Five hours, a police escort to the bathroom, and no access to his own horses for feeding. They held him there, even questioning his wife about her immigration status.

There were alleged rabies concerns, following a bite incident during the seizure. The DEC claimed they needed to test for rabies, which meant euthanizing the animals. No due process, no compassion, just a swift end to two lives that meant the world to Longo and countless fans online.

In Memory of Peanut and the Rage That Remains

Fans around the world have flooded social media, mourning the loss, sharing memes, and creating tributes to keep Peanut’s legacy alive. Longo, devastated, shared his own tribute to Peanut and Fred.

"We will never forget you, Peanut and Fred. You are forever in our hearts, and your memories will guide us as we care for your family," he wrote on Instagram. "We hope you can feel our love reaching out to you, even from this distance. Until we meet again, know that you are cherished and missed more than words can express. With all our love and sorrow, Mom and Dad."

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