This undated image provided by Mark Longo shows him with his pet squirrel, Peanut. The state Department of Environmental Conservation took the animals Wednesday from Longo’s home and animal sanctuary in rural Pine City, near the Pennsylvania border. Longo has said he was working to get Peanut – also known as P’Nut or PNUT – certified as an educational animal. Longo said he started caring for Peanut after the animal’s mother was hit by a car in New York City seven years ago. After helping the animal recover from injuries, Longo said, he and his wife were planning to release the creature into the woods.

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Persons: ” Mark Longo, Mark Longo, Longo, “, ”, Fred Organizations: of Environmental Conservation, DEC, Chemung County Health Department, New York City Locations: York, New York, Pine City, Pennsylvania, Chemung County