In the US, a famous squirrel named Peanut was euthanized (4 photos + 2 videos)

Peanut the squirrel became a social media star after being rescued by American Mark Longo, but the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation confiscated and euthanized the animal due to anonymous complaints.





New York State authorities have euthanized a squirrel named Peanut, who was previously seized from her owner by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reportedly took Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon after the agency learned that the animals were "living with people, posing a potential risk of rabies to humans." According to the official version, the squirrel also bit one of the officials involved in the investigation.

As noted in the publication, Peanut lived with his owner Mark Longo for seven years. The man took in the squirrel after he saw his mother hit by a car. He cared for the animal for eight months, after which he tried to release him into the wild.



A day and a half later, Peanut returned to his porch with a broken tail, after which it became clear that he could not survive in the wild alone. During his time with the Longos, the squirrel became an Instagram star, collecting 537,000 followers. The popularity came thanks to videos of the animal and its owner doing funny things with his owner, who runs an animal shelter called P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary. In turn, Fred the raccoon appeared in the house only recently.

Six New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officers arrived at Mark Longo's home to seize a squirrel after the agency received "multiple anonymous complaints." It's unclear whether it was neighbors who filed complaints or internet trolls who didn't like seeing the squirrel video.

"They treated me like I was a drug dealer and they were looking for drugs and guns," Mark said of the raid.





Later, Mark wrote on his Instagram page that on October 30, the DEC made the decision to euthanize the squirrel Peanut and the raccoon Fred. He emphasized that he learned about this decision from the media.

"I am in shock, disbelief, and disgusted by the people who did this to Peanut. Peanut has been my best friend for the last 7 years. He has been the center of my world and many of yours for so long that I don't know how to process this, emotionally," the man wrote.