Iconic Instagram Squirrel Euthanized by New York Authorities

New York (The Uttam Hindu): A squirrel named Peanut, who became a social media sensation with over 537,000 Instagram followers, has been euthanized by New York authorities. The decision came after Peanut allegedly bit a government employee during a seizure operation. Peanut, a domesticated black squirrel, captured the hearts of fans worldwide with his adorable antics, including munching on waffles and wearing tiny costumes.

Mark Longo, the man who rescued Peanut as a baby after witnessing his mother being killed by a car, expressed deep sorrow over the loss. Longo had cared for Peanut for seven years, bottle-feeding him and eventually trying to release him into the wild. However, after Peanut suffered an injury that led him to return to Longo’s care, the squirrel became a beloved figure on social media. In an emotional Instagram post, Longo criticized those who reported him to the authorities, stating that their actions had taken away "one of the most amazing animals" from his life.

The Chemung County Department of Health and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) confirmed that both Peanut and a raccoon living with Longo were euthanized to test for rabies, following concerns of potential human exposure. The DEC had seized the animals on October 30, noting that keeping such wildlife in a residential setting was illegal. Longo is now seeking support for his legal fees and plans to create an animal sanctuary, vowing that "the fight goes on" for animals like Peanut.