Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have voiced their outrage after New York authorities reportedly seized and euthanized a pet squirrel named Peanut, who had gained widespread popularity on social media.
Peanut’s owner, Mark Longo, known for his animal sanctuary and beloved posts featuring the squirrel, saw his home raided by state officials following anonymous complaints.
During the raid, Peanut and a raccoon named Fred were taken, with authorities later confirming both animals were euthanized to test for rabies.
Elon Musk sharply criticized the action, saying, “Government overreach kidnapped an orphan squirrel and executed him.”
Kennedy responded with his own post, questioning the incident with a reference to previous cases: “Are these the same guys that killed my whale and my bear? And, what happened to the head? Just asking for a friend.”
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Chemung County Department of Health explained in a statement to CBS News New York that the animals were seized due to concerns over potential rabies exposure.
“On Oct 30, DEC seized a raccoon and squirrel sharing a residence with humans, creating the potential for human exposure to rabies. In addition, a person involved with the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. To test for rabies, both animals were euthanized,” the statement said.
Authorities urged anyone who had been in contact with the animals to seek medical advice.
Peanut’s story had resonated widely across social media, where he had tens of thousands of followers.
Longo, who runs P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, originally rescued Peanut after witnessing the squirrel’s mother die in a car accident.
Since then, he had shared videos of Peanut’s charming interactions and tricks, showing the close bond he had with the squirrel over their seven years together.
Following the news of Peanut’s euthanasia, the internet erupted in protest, with supporters calling out the alleged “government overreach.”
Some social media users even shared satirical memes, imagining the GOP nominee as a defender of squirrels.
Longo also expressed his devastation and anger toward those he believed had reported his sanctuary, writing in a post, “Well, internet, you WON.
You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness,” adding, “To the group of people who called DEC, there’s a special place in hell for you.”
After the seizure and euthanasia, Longo memorialized Peanut with an emotional message: “RIP MY BEST FRIEND. Thank you for the best 7 years of my life. Thank you for bringing so much joy to us and the world. I’m sorry I failed you but thank you for everything.”
He further claimed that officials used excessive force during the raid, noting it took five hours and involved extensive searches. “You need that many officers to show up to my house to literally pull my closets apart?” Longo questioned.
Longo and his wife founded P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary in April 2023, which now houses approximately 300 animals.
He claims he was in the process of certifying Peanut as an educational animal when authorities seized him.
Wildlife officials, however, have emphasized that keeping wild animals as pets is illegal, a point that continues to spark debate as the story of Peanut’s tragic end spreads online.
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