Peanut, a beloved pet squirrel and social media sensation with over 600,000 followers, was seized and euthanized by New York State authorities following complaints about illegal wildlife possession. Owner Mark Longo, who rescued and raised Peanut for seven years, expressed devastation, describing the seizure by at least six Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers as a “raid.”
The DEC stated the decision to euthanize Peanut, and Longo’s raccoon Fred, stemmed from public safety concerns and rabies testing after Peanut allegedly bit an officer. Longo’s emotional farewell post sparked widespread outrage, with even public figures like Elon Musk criticizing the agency’s actions.
Congressman Nick Langworthy condemned the DEC, arguing the agency’s priorities are misplaced. Longo lamented the lack of empathy shown in the handling of his beloved pet, underscoring that authorities notified the media before him. The incident has fueled a debate on wildlife regulations and the humane treatment of animals kept as pets.
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