The viral social media squirrel Peanut has been euthanized.
The Guardian reports that the orphaned squirrel was seized during a raid on his caretaker’s home.
According to New York authorities, officers of the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation took the squirrel and a raccoon named Fred from owner Mark Longo’s home on Wednesday (Oct. 30).
Yesterday, the DEC and Department of Health in Chemung County revealed what happened to the animals.
“On Oct 30, DEC seized a raccoon and squirrel sharing a residence with humans, creating the potential for human exposure to rabies,” wrote both groups in a joint statement. “To test for rabies, both animals were euthanized. The animals are being tested for rabies and anyone who has been in contact with these animals is strongly encouraged to consult their physician.”
Peanut became a social media star over the last seven years on TikTok and Instagram. Owner Mark Longo, who runs an animal sanctuary, brought him home following seeing the squirrel’s mother get killed by being hit by a car. Videos of Peanut eating, exercising, and wearing clothes turned him into a sensation.
Longo announced the death of the squirrel and raccoon in an emotional post on Instagram.
“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,” reads the Instagram post.
