Social Media Star ‘Peanut the Squirrel’ Euthanized for Rabies Testing, Pet Owner Devastated
“Peanut,” or “PNUT,” the squirrel, a pet of content creator Mark Longo, has been euthanized by New York authorities for rabies testing after being seized from his home.
The seizure of “PNUT” catalyzed a petition and fundraiser to save him, but legal and health guidelines required euthanasia to be performed to test for rabies.
This episode has also led officials to urge the public to contact licensed wildlife rehabilitators for injured or orphaned animals.
“PNUT” was seized two days ago from his home in Pine City, New York, before he was euthanized by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Chemung County Department of Health. Peanut the Squirrel was the pet of prominent content creator Mark Longo and has 534,000 Instagram followers.
The officials had also seized a raccoon along with Peanut the Squirrel, and it was also euthanized to test for rabies. The officials revealed that the squirrel had bitten one of the persons involved in the confiscation investigation.
Peanut was rescued seven years ago
Peanut, or “PNUT,” was rescued seven years ago by content creator Mark Longo after his mother was killed by a car. Longo tried unsuccessfully to find a shelter for Peanut and later took the baby squirrel home and raised him from infancy. Peanut, or “PNUT,” later became a social media sensation.
Peanut or “PNUT”‘s whole life was showcased by Longo on social media with 1,400 Instagram posts. The posts chronicled various acts by Peanut, which included eating waffles, jumping through hula hoops, and bonding with Longo and his cat, Chloe.
Fans of Peanut initiated a GoFundMe campaign and created a Change.org petition, which garnered 28,000 signatures. The GoFundMe campaign also raised nearly $8,000 to support efforts to bring him home.
Euthanasia for rabies testing
However, the DEC was only following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, which stipulate euthanasia for rabies testing and require examination of brain tissues of the suspect animal. There are no other methods for testing live animals for rabies.
DEC officials have also informed the general public that it is illegal to keep wild animals as pets. The DEC also stated that young animals raised by humans develop attachment, and it is dangerous and difficult for their rehabilitation in the wild. The DEC has also asked anyone in close contact with Peanut in the past to contact a physician due to potential rabies exposure.
Meanwhile, Longo, in a post on Peanut’s Instagram account, stated that he is devastated by Peanut’s loss and described the whole episode as a “terrible nightmare.” Longo runs a rehab center for abandoned and orphaned animals at his Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary in Pine City. His center cares for neglected animals, including horses, cows, alpacas, and a pig.
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