State authorities euthanized an orphaned squirrel beloved on social media after seizing the animal in Pine City, New York, in a tragic turn of events.
An orphaned squirrel named Peanut, known for its significant online following, was euthanized by New York authorities after being seized from a private home due to rabies concerns, AP News reported.
Mark Longo, the caretaker of Peanut, had nurtured the squirrel since its rescue seven years ago. The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) took Peanut and a raccoon named Fred from Longo's residence near the Pennsylvania border after receiving anonymous complaints about the animals being kept there.
A bite incident during the investigation led authorities to act out of an abundance of caution concerning rabies. The DEC, together with the Chemung County Department of Health, decided to euthanize the animals to facilitate testing for the disease.
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. Testing for rabies was conducted following their euthanasia.
Peanut has garnered thousands of followers on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, charming people with its stories and antics. Longo saw Peanut's mother struck by a vehicle in New York City, which led him to adopt the squirrel.
In April 2023, Mark Longo, along with his wife Daniela Longo, inaugurated P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary. The sanctuary, located on their property, is home to approximately 300 animals, providing care and shelter for a variety of rescued creatures.
At the time of the raid, Mark Longo was reportedly in the midst of legal proceedings to have Peanut certified as an educational animal, which would have potentially provided some protection against such seizures.
The grief expressed by the Longos following the loss of their animals was palpable. On social media, they shared their heartbreak and disbelief at the decision taken by the DEC.
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.
The DEC and the Chemung County Department of Health confirmed the euthanasia in a statement, noting the necessity of the actions taken due to the rabies risk. Both agencies did not return requests for further comments.
Conclusively, the seizure and subsequent euthanasia of Peanut and Fred have sparked a dialogue on the regulations surrounding the keeping of wildlife as pets, and the measures taken by authorities in cases of potential public health risks. The community's response has been one of mixed sorrow and frustration, highlighting the complex balance between animal affection and public safety. The Longos, facing this painful outcome, continue to advocate for animal rights and safety through their sanctuary.
