Instagram-famous squirrel Peanut has been euthanized after being kidnapped from his owner's home in upstate New York

Peanut, the Instagram-famous squirrel that was confiscated from his owner's home on Wednesday, has been euthanized by New York state officials.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation took Peanut and a raccoon named Fred on Wednesday after the agency learned that the animals “share a residence with humans, posing a risk of human exposure to rabies,” it said in a joint statement with the Chemung County Department of Health.

Both Peanut and Fred were euthanized to test for rabies, the statement said. It was unclear when the animals were euthanized.

The statement said one of the officers involved in the Peanut and Fred investigation was bitten by the squirrel.

Officials are “coordinating to ensure the protection of public health related to the illegal possession of wild animals that have the potential to transmit the rabies virus,” the statement said, which also included anyone involved with the animals If you have come into contact, you will be asked to speak to your doctor.

According to the DEC, it is illegal to keep young wild animals as pets.

Peanut had lived with owner Mark Longo for seven years, since Longo said he saw Peanut's mother get hit by a car in New York City.

Longo brought Peanut home and ended up caring for the squirrel for eight months before attempting to release him back into the wild. He said Peanut returned to his porch a day and a half later with a broken bone sticking out of his tail, after which Longo concluded that Peanut couldn't survive alone in the wild and would move in with him instead.

Since then, Peanut has captured the hearts of the internet, amassing 537,000 followers on his Instagram page run by Longo. Videos on the site show Peanut eating waffles and welcoming Longo home as he walks through the front door.

Fred the raccoon was a new addition to Longo's home.

In a tearful video posted to Peanut's Instagram account on Friday, Longo shared a portrait of his pet and thanked his followers for their support.

“Peanut was the best thing that ever happened to us,” Longo said through tears. “I want to continue this fight as best I can, but we need all of you to come together and help us.”

The caption of the video reads: “RIP MY BEST FRIEND. Thank you for the best 7 years of my life. Thank you for bringing us and the world so much joy. I'm sorry I let you down, but thank you for everything.” ”

Multiple anonymous complaints led DEC officials to Longo's home in Pine County, New York, on Wednesday, prompting Longo to plead for his pet's release.

“Well, Internet, you WON. Because of your selfishness you took away one of the most amazing animals from me. To the group of people who called DEC, there is a special place in hell for you,” Longo wrote on Peanuts Instagram on Wednesday.

Longo and his wife moved to Upstate New York last year to create the P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, named after his pet, which officially opened in April 2023. The shelter is home to more than 350 animal rescues and relies “heavily” on donations from Peanuts online followers to help more animals, Longo said in the Instagram post Wednesday.

Longo asked his followers Friday to help by donating money to the “ongoing litigation” and to her nonprofit “so we can keep the Peanut name alive.”