Peanut the Squirrel: Why did New York officials euthanize Peanut the Squirrel? Here's what happened

This week, New York officials seized and euthanized a squirrel named Peanut, sparking outrage among his owner and a large following on social media. Peanut was kidnapped on Wednesday along with a raccoon named Fred Mark Longois his home in Pine City, near the New York and Pennsylvania borders.
On November 1, Longo shared on Instagram that his beloved pets had been euthanized by New York State Department of Environmental Protection.

After Peanut's death, Longo received support online, including from well-known personalities. Elon Musk commented on Twitter: “The government should leave people and their animals alone,” while RFK Jr. added: “Are these the same guys who killed my whale and my bear?” And what happened to the head? I’m just asking for a friend.”

Congressman Nick Langworthy also criticized the Department of Environmental Protection's actions on As local officials struggle to obtain DEC permits to clear debris-filled waterways, they confiscate squirrels kept as pets. New York taxpayers deserve better.”
Here you will find everything you need to know Peanut the squirrel.

Peanut was a social media sensation with nearly 600,000 followers on Instagram. Peanut is owned and cared for by Mark Longo. Peanut's life has been documented through 1,400 Instagram posts that show him enjoying waffles, jumping through hula hoops and bonding with Longo and his cat Chloe.
According to Longo, Peanut had become a central character P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, the nonprofit he founded to rescue neglected animals. The sanctuary is currently home to over 300 animals, with the peanut serving as a popular symbol.
Seven years ago, Longo rescued Peanut after the squirrel's mother was hit by a car. Unable to find a shelter for him, Longo raised Peanut from an early age, and the beloved squirrel soon gained a huge online following.

The county health department and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection reported receiving complaints about “potentially unsafe housing of wild animals that could transmit rabies” and “illegal keeping of wild animals as pets.”
According to NBC News, New York's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) received several anonymous complaints about Peanut and sent “at least six officers” to Longo's home to arrest Peanut and Fred.

In a joint statement, the DEC and the Chemung County Department of Health said they are “coordinating to ensure public health protection related to the illegal possession of wildlife that has the potential to transmit the virus.” rabies Virus.”
While the DEC said the raid came after complaints about his raccoon, Fred, Longo insists they used it as an excuse to seize his squirrel, Peanut.

Peanut and Fred were euthanized on November 1 after Peanut allegedly bit an officer involved in the raid.
The DEC and health department said rabies has been detected in raccoons in New York's Southern Tier, including Pine City, for more than 30 years, raising concerns that Longo's pet raccoon, Fred, may have contracted the disease.
In a joint statement, the DEC and Chemung County Department of Health said, “To test for rabies, both animals were euthanized. The animals will be tested for rabies and anyone who has had contact with these animals is strongly advised to consult their doctor.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), animals that show signs of rabies must be euthanized so samples can be sent to a qualified laboratory for testing.
This procedure is necessary because the rabies test requires a “complete tissue cross-section of both the brainstem and cerebellum.” There are currently no approved methods for testing animals for rabies while they are still alive.

Politicization of Peanut's death

A fake statement purporting to come from the Trump-Vance campaign went viral, starting with a post from user Gentry Genvers on Das.”

The original post was in response to Elon Musk's comment about Trump suggesting that he would “save the squirrels” as president. Musk, a Trump loyalist, has actively discussed the incident on X.

A pro-Trump meme account, Mostly Peaceful Memes, shared a scene from John Wick with the caption “The Internet after hearing what they did to Peanut the Squirrel,” while other AI-generated graphics of Peanut with Trump created.