Orphaned squirrel who became social media star euthanised by NY authorities

An orphaned squirrel that became a social media star called Peanut was euthanised after state authorities seized the beloved pet during a raid on his caretaker's home, authorities said on Friday.

After anonymous complaints, officers from the state Department of Environmental Conservation took the squirrel and a raccoon named Fred from Mark Longo's home near the Pennsylvania border in rural Pine City on Wednesday, Longo said.

On Friday, the DEC and Chemung County Department of Health confirmed both animals' fate.

"On Oct.30, DEC seized a raccoon and squirrel sharing a residence with humans, creating the potential for human exposure to rabies. In addition, a person involved with the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. To test for rabies, both animals were euthanized," the agencies said in a statement, CBS News in New York reported. "The animals are being tested for rabies and anyone who has been in contact with these animals is strongly encouraged to consult their physician."

The man who took in an orphaned squirrel and made it a social media star vowed on Saturday that New York state's decision to seize and euthanise the animal "won't go unheard."

"We will make a stance on how this government and New York state utilizes their resources," Mark Longo said in a phone interview.

He declined to specify his possible next steps but said officials would hear from him soon about what happened to Peanut the squirrel and Fred, a rescued raccoon that was also confiscated and put down.

Peanut amassed tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms during the seven years since Longo, who runs an animal sanctuary, said he took him in after seeing his mother get hit by a car in New York City.

Peanut's Instagram account shows the squirrel leaping on to Longo's shoulder, jumping through a hoop, holding and eating waffles and wearing miniature hats.

"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," an Instagram post said Friday, accompanied by a video montage of the animals interacting with their smiling caretakers.

Longo and his wife, Daniela, opened P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary in April 2023. It now houses about 300 animals including horses, goats and alpacas, Longo said. He said he was in the process of filing paperwork to get Peanut certified as an educational animal when he was seized.

Associated Press