PINE CITY, N.Y. (AP) — An orphaned squirrel turned social media star named Peanut was euthanized after state authorities seized the beloved animal during a raid on its guardian’s home, officials said. authorities announced on Friday.

After anonymous complaints, agents with the state Department of Environmental Conservation took the squirrel and a raccoon named Fred from Mark Longo’s home near the Pennsylvania border in rural Pine City on Wednesday, Longo said.

On Friday, the DEC and the Chemung County Health Department confirmed the fate of the two animals.

“On October 30, DEC seized a raccoon and a squirrel sharing a residence with humans, creating a risk of human exposure to rabies. Additionally, a person involved in the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. To test for rabies, both animals were euthanized,” the agencies said in a statement, CBS News in New York reported. “Animals are tested for rabies and anyone who has been in contact with these animals is strongly encouraged to consult their doctor.”

Neither agency responded to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

Peanut has amassed tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms in the seven years since Longo, who runs an animal sanctuary, said she took him in after seeing his mother get hit by a car in New York.

Peanut’s Instagram account shows the squirrel jumping on Longo’s shoulder, jumping through a hoop, holding and eating waffles and wearing miniature hats.

“It is with deep sadness that we share the heartbreaking news: on October 30, DEC made the devastating decision to euthanize our beloved Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon. Despite our passionate cry for compassion, the agency chose to ignore our pleas, leaving us in deep shock and grief,” said an Instagram post on Friday, accompanied by a video montage of the animals interacting with their caretakers. smiling.

Longo and his wife, Daniela, opened the P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary in April 2023. It now houses about 300 animals, including horses, goats and alpacas, Longo said. He said he was in the process of completing paperwork to get Peanut certified as an educational animal when he was seized.

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