Woman Clarifies Role After Being Falsely Accused in Viral Peanut the Squirrel Incident

A woman named Monica Kessler recently spoke out after being mistakenly accused of reporting the popular TikTok squirrel Peanut’s owner, Mark Longo, to New York's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

This accusation led to a flood of hateful comments and even death threats, as users wrongly believed she was responsible for the report that resulted in Peanut’s seizure and euthanization.

Mark Longo, who rescued Peanut years ago, shared that Peanut had been taken by the DEC after public complaints. While trying to clarify her identity, Kessler addressed the online community, stating she had no connection to the incident or knowledge of Peanut until after the fact.

@monicakessler

Just a lady. #notthesquirrelgirl #notasquirrelkiller #lady #justiceforkessler #poorpeanut #peanutthesquirrel

She expressed sympathy for Longo and Peanut’s followers but questioned the hostile responses from users, pointing out that harassment and threats are not an appropriate reaction.

This case highlights the risks of mistaken identity in social media controversies, where assumptions and misinformation can escalate rapidly.