Instagram-famous squirrel euthanized after it was taken from owner's New York state home

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

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation took Peanut, as well as a raccoon named Fred, on Wednesday after the agency learned the animals were “sharing a residence with humans, creating the potential for 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 officials involved in the investigation into Peanut and Fred 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 carry the rabies virus," according to the statement, which also encouraged anyone who has been in contact with the animals to talk to their doctor.

It is illegal to keep young wildlife as pets, according to the DEC.

Peanut had been living 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 him home, ultimately caring for the squirrel for eight months before trying to release it back into the wild. He said Peanut returned to his porch a day and a half later with a broken bone sticking out of its tail, at which point Longo determined Peanut couldn't survive in the wild alone and instead would move in with him.

Since then, Peanut has won over the internet's hearts, amassing 537,000 followers on his Instagram page run by Longo. Videos on the page show Peanut snacking on waffles and welcoming Longo home when he walks through the front door.

Fred, the raccoon, was a more recent addition to Longo's home.

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

"Peanut was the best thing that ever happened to us," Longo said through tears. "I want to continue to fight this fight as much as 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 so much joy to us and the world. I’m sorry I failed you but thank you for everything."

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

"Well internet, you WON. You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness. To the group of people who called DEC, there’s a special place in hell for you," Longo wrote on Peanut's Instagram Wednesday.

Longo and his wife moved to Upstate New York last year to start P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, which is named for his pet and officially opened in April 2023. The sanctuary houses more than 350 rescues and has been relying "heavily" on donations from Peanut's online followers to help more animals, Longo said in the Instagram post Wednesday.

Longo asked followers Friday to help by donating money to the “ongoing legal battles” and to their nonprofit “so we can keep Peanut’s name alive.”

The Associated Press contributed.

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