ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- On Friday night, Peanut the Squirrel was remembered with a fundraiser at Elmira's Ill Eagle Tap House. The mission was to keep the doors open for P'Nut's Freedom Farm despite losing the beloved mascot.

Peanuts owners, Mark and Daniella Longo were in attendance. They previously told WENY News that they are still processing the shock of their home being raided and Peanut being taken away by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

"We're celebrating Peanut and Fred's little memorial and there's so many people here to come together to support these animals and us and just become a community family, you know," says Peanuts Owner Mark Longo. "To see so many people to come together for these animals, who all want justice for the same thing, it's just. It's something I'll never forget."

 

The DEC removed Peanut and another animal from Longos' home because they were not licensed to care for the creatures. Both of the animals were euthanized so they could be tested for rabies after Peanut allegedly bought one of the DEC officials involved in his removal.

Longo rescued Peanut seven years ago after the squirrel's mother was hit by a car. 

WENY News received a statement from the DEC on Friday, November 8th saying, " DEC is committed to protecting the safety and well-being of wildlife across New York. An internal investigation into the matter is ongoing, and we are reviewing internal policies and procedures to ensure we continue serving this core mission."

According to the DEC, that includes looking at internal policies and procedures.

A GoFundMe is available to help the Longos with steep legal fees and to repair the damage to the animal sanctuary that occurred on October 30th.