The owners of Peanut the Squirrel - the internet sensation - have spoken out after he was seized and euthanized by the New York state.
Peanut the Squirrel may just look like your average rodent, but it's very likely they've popped up on your social media feed at one point in time.
The squirrel became an interest sensation some seven years ago now as its owners dressed him up in numerous outfits, including the much-loved cowboy hat.
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Peanut even learnt a few tricks along the way, and it got to the point where the animal became a worldwide star.
Tragic news came out earlier this week however as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) seized the animal alongside 'Fred the raccoon'.
Both were euthanized by the state on Wednesday (30 October).
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Longo told the New York Post: “They treated me like I was a terrorist. They treated this raid as if I was a drug dealer. They ransacked my house for five hours.
“They asked my wife, who is of German descent, what her immigration status was.
"They asked if I had cameras in my house. They wouldn’t allow me to go to the bathroom without a police escort, who then checked the back of the toilet to see if I was hiding anything there.”
Mark Longo, the squirrel's owner, has since spoken out in a TikTok video where he was joined by his wife.
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Struggling to hold back tears, Longo stated Peanut was the 'best thing to ever happen to us', before adding: "I’m angry, I’m sad, I’m disgusted. We fight and work everyday to pay our state taxes and they turn around and they do this to a family."
Longo previously took to Instagram to share the sad news regarding Peanut: "Well internet, you WON.
"You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness. To the group of people who called DEC, there’s a special place in hell for you.
"Today at 10am Wednesday, Oct 30, 2024… The NY State DEC showed up to my house and took Peanut. He was TAKEN to the EUTHANIZED. I'm in shock, disbelief, and disgusted to the people who did this to PNUT.
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"For the last 7 years, Peanut has been my best friend. He’s been the center of my world and many of yours for so long, I don’t know how to process this, emotionally."
His statement, in part, continued: "Last year we moved to NY in hopes of starting a NONPROFIT animal rescue in PNUT’s Name. @pnuts_freedom_farm will forever live in PNUT’s memory.
"With over 350 rescues, we’ve relied heavily on PNUT and his internet family to gather donations to help more animals.
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"I don’t even know how will continue to fundraise for this nonprofit. I’ll be taking a break from social media for a bit. To the people who did this… THANK YOU for breaking apart a family and crushing any hopes of our nonprofit to survive."
WETM reports the DEC claimed the squirrel bit an investigator on the hand while being confiscated from his home in Elmira.
A statement read: “In addition, a person involved with the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. To test for rabies, both animals were euthanized.
"The animals are being tested for rabies and anyone who has been in contact with these animals is strongly encouraged to consult their physician."
Topics: New York, Social Media, Animals, Viral
Callum Jones