After anonymous complaints, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) agents 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 deaths of both animals.
“On October 30, DEC seized a raccoon and a squirrel that shared a residence with humans, creating a risk of human exposure to rabies. Additionally, one person involved in the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. Both animals were euthanized to be tested for rabies,” the agencies said in a statement. “Animals are being 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 accumulated tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, Tik Tok and other platforms in the seven years since Mr. Longo, who runs an animal sanctuary, said he picked it up after seeing his mother getting hit by a car in New York.
Peanut’s Instagram account shows the squirrel jumping on Longo’s shoulder, jumping in 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 call for compassion, the agency chose to ignore our requests, leaving us in deep shock and grief,” read an Instagram post on Friday, accompanied by a video montage of the animals interacting with their smiling caregivers.
Longo and his wife, Daniela, opened 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 filling out paperwork to have Peanut certified as an educational animal when he was seized.
