A raccoon taken in injured by the couple was also confiscated and euthanized.
P'Nut was a social media star. On Instagram and TikTok in particular, the videos featuring the little rodent and his master were shared by thousands of Internet users.
However, P'Nut and Fred, a raccoon, both taken in by Mark Longo, were confiscated from the latter on Wednesday October 30 by the New York State Department of Environmental Protection, then euthanized.
The agency said it had received complaints that wild and potentially dangerous animals were being held illegally, ABCNews reports.
Two days after he was removed from his home, P’nut the squirrel was euthanized by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. More than 30,000 people came together to demand that the famous squirrel be returned to his owner and rescuer Mark Alongo.
To read the… pic.twitter.com/wiEXzRQ742
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Under state law, anyone who wants to own a wild animal must have a permit. Mark said he was taking the necessary steps to get Peanut certified. Unfortunately he didn't have time.
The agency said both animals needed to be tested for rabies, noting that Peanut bit a person involved in the investigation. Mark Longo said he did not see the rodent bite any investigators and that authorities had not spoken to him since they left his property, an animal sanctuary in rural Pine City, near the border with Pennsylvania.
He told the outlet that the state's decision “will not go unanswered” and that authorities would hear from him soon regarding what happened to Peanut and Fred.
“Surrealist”
“Honestly, it still seems a little surreal to me, that the state I live in has targeted me and taken two of the most beloved animals on this planet from me. They took them from my home and took them simply killed,” he said.
Mark Longo said he began caring for Peanut after the animal's mother was hit by a car in New York seven years ago. After its seizure, more than 50,000 people signed a petition to have it returned to Mr. Longo.
The raccoon had been left in front of his door a few months ago. He had helped him recover from his injuries, and intended, with his wife, to release him into the woods.
On social networks, several Internet users expressed their support for Longo. “It’s so sad”, “I find it dramatic”, some of them were indignant.
