Tragic Twist: Peanut, The Famous Squirrel Euthanised In US, Didn't Have Rabies

US: Peanut, the social media star squirrel at the center of a national controversy after being taken from its owner in upstate New York and put down, has tested negative for rabies, a county official said on Tuesday.

Peanut, The Famous Squirrel Euthanised In US

The squirrel, along with a raccoon named Fred, was taken on October 30 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) from the home and animal sanctuary of Mark Longo in rural Pine City, near the Pennsylvania border. The DEC had responded to complaints alleging that wildlife was being kept illegally and in unsafe conditions. However, the agency's actions have sparked widespread backlash, with officials reporting violent threats in response to the controversial seizure.

The DEC and the Chemung County officials have said the squirrel and raccoon were euthanized so they could be tested for rabies after Peanut bit a DEC worker involved in the investigation.

Chemung County Executive Chris Moss said tests on the two animals came back negative during a news conference detailing the county's role in the incident. He said the county worked with the state and followed protocols.

The Squirrel Who Became a Social Media Star

Peanut gained tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms over the seven years since Mark Longo rescued him. Longo took in Peanut after witnessing the squirrel’s mother being hit by a car in New York City. Longo has stated that he was in the process of filing paperwork to have Peanut officially recognized as an educational animal when authorities took him.

Longo on Tuesday said the negative test results were no surprise and criticized the government's actions.

“It’s no real big shocker 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 results were going to be negative.”

The DEC said in a prepared statement there was an internal investigation and that they were reviewing internal policies and procedures.