'Justice for Peanut': 5 reactions to killing of celebrity squirrel seized by New York authorities

By Samantha Kamman, Christian Post Reporter

William Shatner

Blue Origins vice president of mission and flight operations Audrey Powers (L) looks on as Star Trek actor William Shatner waves during a media availability on the landing pad of Blue Origin’s New Shepard after they flew into space on Oct. 13, 2021, near Van Horn, Texas. Shatner became the oldest person to fly into space on the 10-minute flight. They flew aboard mission NS-18, the second human spaceflight for the company which is owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Blue Origins vice president of mission and flight operations Audrey Powers (L) looks on as Star Trek actor William Shatner waves during a media availability on the landing pad of Blue Origin’s New Shepard after they flew into space on Oct. 13, 2021, near Van Horn, Texas. Shatner became the oldest person to fly into space on the 10-minute flight. They flew aboard mission NS-18, the second human spaceflight for the company which is owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. | Getty Images/ Mario Tama

The Canadian actor, known best for portraying James T. Kirk in the "Star Trek" franchise, expressed sadness in a Sunday X post over the squirrel’s death. Shatner, an advocate for animal rights, noted that Peanut’s owner, Mark Longo, had kept him as a pet for years. 

“How could he be considered a wild animal when all he knew was being a pet?” Shatner asked. “You can say that about any animal, then in the State of NY.”

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Shatner condemned New York's DEC for euthanizing the squirrelthat Longo adopted seven years ago. As USA Today reported, Longo took the then-baby squirrelin after a car killed Peanut’s mother. According to the owner, he could not find a rescue center to take the squirrel, so he kept him.

Longo planned to temporarily house the squirrel. In 2022, he tried to enable Peanut to live outdoors but he got injured, so Longo took him back indoors. 

Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman

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