Orphaned squirrel who became a social media star was euthanized after being seized from his home

PINE CITY, N.Y. (AP) — An orphaned squirrel turned social media star named Peanut was euthanized after state authorities seized the beloved pet during a raid on his caretaker’s home, authorities said 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 the fate of both animals.

“On October 30, DEC seized a raccoon and a squirrel that shared a residence with humans, creating the potential for human exposure to rabies. Additionally, a person involved in 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 doctor.”

Neither agency responded to The Associated Press’ requests for comment.

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

Peanut’s Instagram account shows the squirrel jumping onto Longo’s shoulder, jumping through a hoop, holding and eating waffles and wearing miniature hats.

“It is with deep sadness that we share the heartbreaking news: On October 30, DEC made the devastating decision to euthanize our beloved Peanut the Squirrel and Fred the Raccoon. Despite our impassioned pleas for compassion, the agency chose to ignore our pleas, which left us in deep shock and grief,” said an Instagram post on Friday accompanied by a video montage of the animals interacting with their smiling caretakers.

Longo and his wife, Daniela, opened P’Nut’s 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 submitting paperwork to get Peanut certified as a training animal when he was seized.