Jim Miller, who nabbed his 27th UFC win in the first-round submission over Damon Jackson, is calling for justice for Peanut the Squirrel. The domesticated rodent resided with Mark Longo when, on October 30, the DEC seized the pet and subsequently euthanized him.
Here's what he said, while reflecting on his post-win highs:
"It feels amazing. New York, I got one thing to say first: We need justice for Peanut, right?"
Joe Miller accuses the state of being "bored" while targetting Peanut the Squirrel
Later on, while speaking with the press, someone asked him about the reason behind his shoutout to Peanut. He responded:
"You know, just a disdain for what some of this has become, right? I'm sure the night that you know on that day, where they raided a couple's home at gunpoint, so that means they're willing to kill them. And accidents happen, right? Like it might not be on purpose, but they're willing for bad things to happen over a pet squirrel that has lived inside for the last seven years."
Jim Miller went on to point out that the night Peanut was culled, there likely were hundreds of children in far worse situations than a rodent living as someone's pet.
He said there were better uses for the taxpayer's money, calling the situation "ridiculous." He also acknowledged that while he is a hunter who eats squirrels himself, he is an animal lover.
He also asserted that he "values human life over pets," noting that instead of the spectacle, there were other things that could have been done with the money. He also accused the DEC of going after the squirrel only because they were bored.
Watch what he says at the 9:07 mark below:
DEC Euthanized Peanut the Squirrel Despite Negative Rabies Test
Peanut the Squirrel, or P-Nut, as he was affectionally christened by the internet, was seized by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation alongside Fred the Raccoon.
Mark Longo took to Instagram on November 2 to reveal the news:
"It is with profound sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news: on October 30th, the DEC made the devastating decision to euthanize our beloved Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon. Despite our passionate outcry for compassion, the agency chose to ignore our pleas, leaving us in deep shock and grief."
He continued, revealing that he was the last person to find out about the culling:
"To add to our anguish, they informed the media of their decision before even notifying P’nuts Freedom Farm, his loving home. This demonstrates a troubling lack of respect and empathy. Their lives were precious, and we refuse to accept this loss in silence. We urgently call on all of you to stand with us in demanding accountability from the DEC."
Reportedly, while the DEC was raiding Longo's home, Peanut bit one of the agent's hands. The agency was then forced to test the animal for rabies. Despite Longo's insistence that the animals were free of rabies and that Peanut never bit anyone, they were taken.
However, Chemung County Executive Chris Moss confirmed that Peanut the Squirrel and Fred the Raccoon were free of rabies. As reported by the New York Post, Longo said he wasn't shocked.
"It is not a real big shock to me, considering I lived with Peanut for seven-and-a-half years and Fred for five months. I’m not foaming at the mouth. I knew the test results were going to be negative."
On November 1, after the news of Peanut the Squirrel's demise broke out, Congressman Nick Langworthy took to X to call out the DEC:
"The NYS DEC needs a serious reality check on their ridiculously mistaken priorities. Instead of focusing on critical needs like flood mitigation in places like Steuben County, where local officials have to struggle just to get permits from the DEC to clear debris-filled waterways, they’re out seizing pet squirrels. NY taxpayers deserve better."
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In a follow-up tweet, he demanded answers and vowed to "push until the administration comes clean."
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