Peanut the Squirrel, of internet fame, has been euthanized after the pet was seized by New York state earlier this week, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation.
The seven-year-old gray rescue squirrel, commonly referred to as “P’Nut” on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, was put to death, along with Fred the raccoon, so that the animals could be tested for the presence of rabies, according to a statement from the agency obtained by WETM.
Peanut’s guardian Mark Longo took to Instagram to memorialize his beloved pet in a video.
Through tears Longo, with his girlfriend at his side, said, “Peanut was the best thing that ever happened to us.”
“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,” Longo wrote in a caption to the post announcing Peanut’s death.
Longo also asked fans for financial help for a “legal battle” and for his non-profit P’Nut’s Freedom Farm.
The DEC claims that Peanut, who was notably docile and friendly over the course of his very public facing life, bit one of the investigators on the hand while being confiscated from his Elmira home on Wednesday.
“In addition, a person involved with the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. To test for rabies, both animals were euthanized. The animals are being tested for rabies and anyone who has been in contact with these animals is strongly encouraged to consult their physician,” the DEC statement read, according to WETM.
Peanut was rescued by guardian Mark Longo, after the Connecticut native witnessed P’Nut’s mother hit by a car.
The resilient and adorable Peanut inspired Longo to move to upstate New York last year and found “P’Nut’s Freedom Farm”, an animal sanctuary and rescue operation.
On Wednesday, Peanut, and Fred the racoon, were seized by the Department of Environmental Conservation after multiple anonymous complaints about wild animals living in the Longo house.
“Well internet, you WON,” Longo wrote in a caption after the animals were seized. “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 added.
In a statement to The Post on Wednesday, the DEC said that they were responding to complaints of a rabies vector species that was in the home, namely, Fred the raccoon.
