Peanut the squirrel, a beloved viral star, has been euthanized.
Peanut the Squirrel, a social media icon with over 550,000 followers, is making headlines, but this time it’s not for his usual playful antics.
This time, it’s a heart-wrenching story: Peanut was euthanized by New York state authorities.
Peanut’s story explained.
Peanut’s journey began seven years ago when his caretaker, Mark Longo, discovered him orphaned after his mother was tragically hit by a car.
Longo cared for Peanut in his Norwalk, Connecticut, home, hand-feeding and nurturing him through the challenges of a difficult early life.
When Longo attempted to release Peanut back into the wild, he was surprised to find the little squirrel back at his doorstep—this time missing half of his tail.
From that day on, Peanut became a permanent part of Longo’s life, forming a special bond with his rescuer.
Peanut wasn’t the only one in the Longo household; he shared his home with a cat named Chloe and became the unofficial mascot of Longo’s sanctuary.
In 2023, Longo established P’Nuts Freedom Farm, a sanctuary in Pine City, New York, dedicated to providing homeless animals with a second chance at life.
As time went on, Peanut became an Instagram sensation, spreading smiles and laughter to fans around the world.
Shocking NY raid explained.
However, everything changed dramatically when New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) conducted a raid on Longo’s home.
DEC officers confiscated Peanut and another animal, a raccoon, following anonymous complaints regarding potential rabies risks.
Authorities stated that keeping wildlife as pets posed a risk of rabies exposure for both humans and animals, a concern that has persisted in the region for many years.
Peanut’s euthanasia ignited widespread outrage.
The news of Peanut’s euthanasia ignited widespread outrage, prompting thousands of fans to rally behind Longo’s pursuit of justice.
Devastated, Longo expressed his grief online, describing Peanut as “the center of his world” and condemning those who reported him.
“I’m in shock, disbelief, and disgusted by those who did this to Peanut,” Longo shared on Instagram.
Angry fans initiated a Change.org petition and a GoFundMe campaign, demanding accountability and successfully raising over $95,000.
Longo stated that he is determined to identify those who filed the complaints and plans to submit a motion to reveal the names of the complainants.
He also intends to keep advocating for wildlife rights, describing Peanut’s story as a tragic lesson in outdated policies.
New York’s wildlife ownership policies are under scrutiny.
Animal advocates, spearheaded by Longo and Peanut’s supporters, are now challenging New York’s wildlife ownership policies.
The DEC stands firm, emphasizing the risk of rabies in the Southern Tier as a public health priority.
Rabies has been documented in wildlife in this region for over 30 years, with periodic increases in reported cases.
However, fans contend that Peanut, an Instagram celebrity known for living peacefully with humans, deserved special consideration.
Peanut’s legacy will endure.
Although Peanut is no longer here, his story has sparked a firestorm on social media, igniting a debate over animal euthanasia practices.
Fans have inundated Peanut’s Instagram with tributes, reminiscing about his quirky personality and his significance in Longo’s sanctuary.
In a heartfelt final post, Longo shared with his followers, “Peanut may be gone, but his legacy will live on in every animal we save.”
