New York environmental officials seized and euthanized a beloved pet squirrel named Peanut, sparking widespread public outrage and calls for reform.
At a Glance
- Peanut, a social media star squirrel, was euthanized by New York officials citing rabies concerns
- The euthanize has caused significant public backlash and criticism of government actions
- Keeping wildlife as pets is illegal in New York, leading to the controversial seizure
- A fundraiser for “Justice for Peanut” has raised over $79,000 for reform efforts
- The incident has sparked debates on wildlife rehabilitation and pet ownership laws
Social Media Star Euthanized
In a shocking turn of events, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officials have euthanized Peanut, a beloved pet squirrel with a massive social media following.
Yes. The government murdered a viral, famous squirrel. Because…reasons.
The controversial decision has sparked outrage among animal lovers and raised questions about government overreach in animal control practices.
Peanut, who boasted an impressive 532,000 Instagram followers, 423,000 Facebook followers, and over 2 million TikTok views, was seized from the home of Mark Longo in Elmira, New York. The DEC cited concerns about “unlawfully possessed” animals and potential rabies risks as the reasons for the seizure and subsequent euthanasia.
Man says it's 'surreal' that officials euthanized pet squirrel Peanut https://t.co/lZ7UfTdnKs
— WRAL NEWS in NC (@WRAL) November 2, 2024
Longo, who had cared for Peanut for seven years, expressed shock and disbelief at the government’s actions.
“Honestly, this still kind of feels surreal, that the state that I live in actually targeted me and took two of the most beloved animals on this planet away, didn’t even quarantine them. They took them from my house and just killed them,” Longo said.
Longo also posted a statement on Peanut’s official Instagram page.
“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,” the post reads.
The public response to Peanut’s euthanasia has been swift and severe. Social media users, including high-profile figures like Elon Musk, have criticized the government’s actions. A fundraiser titled “Call for Justice for Peanut and NYSDEC Reform” has already raised over $79,000, demonstrating the widespread support for Peanut and the desire for change in animal control policies.
The incident has brought to light the complexities surrounding wildlife rehabilitation and pet ownership laws. In New York, keeping wildlife as pets is illegal, and licensed wildlife rehabilitators are required to release animals back into the wild after treatment. Longo claims he was in the process of obtaining the necessary permits and needed guidance from the DEC.
“We were ready to comply. We were ready to complete the paperwork. We were in the process of doing that. We needed a little bit of guidance from the DEC,” Longo said.
The euthanasia of Peanut has unsettled the wildlife rehabilitation community.
Rachel Tindal, a wildlife expert, expressed concern about the impact on future rehabilitators.
“The whole way that it has been treated in this case has been every rehabber’s worst nightmare. We do this work because we love animals… We’re not getting paid for this. We’re giving up our time, we’re giving up our sleep, our money to do this to save animals,” Tindal said.
The tragic fate of Peanut has ignited a passionate call for reform in government approaches to handling similar cases. Supporters are demanding more humane and flexible policies that consider the unique circumstances of each situation. The “Justice for Peanut” campaign aims to reshape public policy around animal management and protect pets like Peanut from future occurrences.
Just what, exactly, where these New York officials thinking?
