Peanut, the beloved pet squirrel who became an internet sensation before being confiscated and killed by New York state authorities, is found to be free of rabies after being euthanized for rabies testing, according to a report. It turned out that this was the case. The latest twist in the ongoing story of the much-loved creature.
Late last month, the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) said it had received complaints about wild animals being harmed, and the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) moved to owner Mark Longo's home and animal shelter in rural Pine City, near the Pennsylvania border. Raccoons named Peanut and Fred were seized from the ward during a raid. Stored illegally. Longo, who adopted Peanut about seven years ago, said he is working to get Peanut certified as an educational animal.
Officials said a DEC employee involved in the investigation was bitten by the squirrel, and authorities had to euthanize the squirrel to test for rabies. Longo denied the worker was bitten and insisted the animals were not infected with rabies. Rabies is a viral disease of mammals that is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal.
Squirrel Peanut or Peanut has 532,000 followers on Instagram. (via peanut_the_squirrel12 Instagram)
Chemung County Executive Chris Moss said in a press conference detailing the county's role in the incident that both animals tested negative. He said the county is working with the state and following protocols.
of new york post According to reports, the state Department of Health sent a letter to the county on Oct. 23 outlining that “wild animals cannot be confined like livestock and any exposure would require testing for rabies.” Ta.
This message all but sealed the fate of the animals ahead of the attack, as rabies testing requires euthanasia by decapitation in order to open the subject's head and collect the brain.
A few days later, on October 29, the New York Post reported that DEC coordinated the animal's euthanasia with Elmira Animal Control after the agency said Peanut had prompted his own euthanasia with a bite. Contradicts previous explanation.
Longo said on Tuesday that the negative test result was not surprising and criticized the government's actions.
“It's not that big of a shock to me considering I lived with Peanut for seven and a half years and Fred for five months. I'm not foaming at the mouth,” he said. . “I knew the test result would be negative.”
He told the Post he was in “utter shock” when shown the latest timeline of events.
Fox News Digital reached out to the New York State Department of Health and DEC regarding the timeline.
Pet squirrel Peanut was taken away from his adopted home by New York state officials and may be euthanized
Elon Musk has posted about this squirrel several times. squirrel and its owner (Photo/Evan Vucci, left, provided by AP, right)
Last year, the Longos founded an animal sanctuary called Peanut Freedom Farm, inspired by squirrels. Longo told his followers that he adopted the rodent after witnessing the squirrel's mother being hit by a car. The squirrel refused to return to the wild and became attached to the couple.
An Instagram page featuring the squirrel has more than 550,000 followers, and the couple uploads their playful interactions with the rodents and other animals in their care. The page currently has over 910,000 followers.
But when authorities descended on their sanctuary home on October 30, the situation worsened and the extent of it shocked Longo.
Longo said authorities searched “every cabinet, every nook and cranny” in the home during the search.
“They got a search warrant. Four departments and a judge signed the search warrant for the squirrel and the raccoon. And they took them and killed them,” said a visibly shaken Longo.
The animal's shocking death caused a backlash online, and the story quickly spread.
“President Trump will save the squirrel,” Elon Musk wrote, along with a squirrel and a crying face emoji. “Rest In Peace,” the text was accompanied by an image of a smiling rodent on Longo's back.
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This photo shared on Instagram shows Peanut the squirrel eating peanuts. (via peanut_the_squirrel12 Instagram)
Longo announced the rodent's death, holding a framed picture of a squirrel and tearfully telling her followers in an Instagram video: “Peanuts was the best thing that ever happened to us.” spoke.
“Rest in peace my best friend. Thank you for the best 7 years of my life,” he wrote in the caption. “Thank you for bringing so much joy to us and the world. I'm sorry I failed, but thank you for everything.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
