An orphaned squirrel who turned a social media star named Peanut was euthanized after state authorities confiscated the beloved pet throughout a raid on his caretaker’s dwelling, authorities mentioned Friday.
After nameless complaints, state Division of Environmental Conservation officers eliminated the squirrel and a raccoon named Fred from Mark Longo’s dwelling close to the Pennsylvania border in rural Pine Metropolis on Wednesday, Longo mentioned.
On Friday, the DEC and the Chemung County Well being Division confirmed the destiny of each animals.
“On October 30, DEC confiscated a raccoon and a squirrel that shared residence with people, creating the potential for human publicity to rabies. Moreover, an individual concerned within the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. For rabies testing, each animals had been euthanized,” the companies mentioned in an announcement, CBS Information in New York reported. “Animals are being examined for rabies and anybody who has been in touch with these animals is strongly suggested to seek the advice of their physician.”
Neither company responded to requests for remark from The Related Press.
Peanut has amassed tens of 1000’s of followers on Instagram, TikTok and different platforms over the seven years since Longo, who runs an animal sanctuary, mentioned she took him in after seeing his mom get hit by a automobile in New York Metropolis. .
Peanut’s Instagram account exhibits the squirrel leaping on Longo’s shoulder, leaping by a hoop, holding and consuming waffles, and carrying miniature hats.
“It’s with deep unhappiness that we share the heartbreaking information: on October 30, the DEC made the devastating determination to euthanize our beloved squirrel Peanut and raccoon Fred. “Regardless of our passionate cry for compassion, the company selected to disregard our pleas, leaving us in deep shock and ache,” learn an Instagram put up on Friday, accompanied by a video montage of the animals interacting with their smiling caretakers.
Longo and his spouse, Daniela, opened the P’Nuts Freedom farm animal sanctuary in April 2023. It now homes about 300 animals, together with horses, goats and alpacas, Longo mentioned. He mentioned he was within the technique of submitting paperwork to get Peanut licensed as an academic animal when it was confiscated.
