WASHINGTON EXAMINER · 2026-11-12 16:09 UTC

ICE detains German national who once owned viral sensation Peanut the Squirrel

Daniela Bittner, 30, a German national and former co-owner of viral pet Peanut the Squirrel, was detained by ICE on Oct. 15 at Elmira Corning Regional Airport in New York and is in federal custody pending possible deportation to Germany. DHS said Bittner chose to overstay her welcome and called her an illegal alien; her husband Mark Longo said she was detained over a paperwork mix-up and is being held in Texas. Peanut the Squirrel was euthanized by New York state after a rabies test on Oct. 30, 2024, which came back negative; the couple's animal sanctuary may close if Bittner is deported.

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