Peanut the Squirrel units off social media firestorm after NY officers euthanize it

Peanut the Squirrel, a loved puppy who was once an web sensation prior to New York state officers confiscated after which killed it, is drawing much more social media consideration after the rodent’s loss of life.

The state Division of Environmental Conservation (DEC) seized Peanut and a raccoon named Fred from proprietor Mark Longo’s house and animal sanctuary in rural Pine Town, close to the Pennsylvania border, previous this week. The company, which mentioned it had won lawsuits that natural world was once being saved illegally, then euthanized the critters, to the horror of Longo and about 550,000 of Peanut’s best possible buddies. As phrase were given out, the X memes went up.

“President Trump will save the squirrels,” Elon Musk wrote with a squirrel and a crying face emoji. “RIP P’Nut.” The textual content was once accompanied by means of a picture of the rodent at the again of his smiling proprietor, Mark Longo.

PEANUT THE PET SQUIRREL TAKEN AWAY BY NEW YORK STATE OFFICIALS FROM ADOPTED HOME, MAY BE EUTHANIZED

“Radicalized Squirrels In MAGA Hats Start Rebellion,” learn a Babylon Bee headline.

Any other tweet depicted John Wick, Keanu Reeves’ fictional film personality who is going on a killing spree after his loved canine is killed by means of a mobster, and warned that denizens of the internet might react in a similar fashion.

Whilst some memes expressed humor, others dripped with outrage that the DEC and Chemung County Well being Division had put the animals down to check them for rabies. State legislation calls for folks to get a license in the event that they want to personal a wild animal. Longo, who followed Peanut some seven years in the past, has mentioned he was once running to get qualified as an academic animal.

Peanut’s reputation was once no funny story. An Instagram web page devoted to the squirrel has greater than 550,000 fans, and the couple uploaded their playful interactions with the rodent and different animals they maintain.

Longo and his spouse established the animal sanctuary, known as “P’Nut’s Freedom Farm,” final 12 months, impressed by means of the squirrel. Longo instructed his fans that he had taken the rodent in after he witnessed the squirrel’s mom being hit by means of a automotive. The squirrel refused to go back to the wild and changed into hooked up to the couple. 

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Peanut the squirrel enjoys some peanuts on this picture shared on Instagram. (peanut_the_squirrel12 by the use of Instagram)

The incident was once no giggling topic for Longo. In an emotional interview with TMZ, he detailed the police raid as his spouse wept beside him.

“It isn’t most effective torn my circle of relatives aside, however Peanut was once the cornerstone of our non-profit animal rescue,” Longo mentioned. “And 10 to twelve DEC officials raided my area as though I used to be a drug broker. I sat outdoor my area for 5 hours. I needed to get a police escort to my rest room,” Longo mentioned. 

“I wasn’t even allowed to feed my rescue horses breakfast or lunch. I sat there like a prison once they interrogated my spouse to take a look at her immigration standing.” 

Longo mentioned government went via “each and every cupboard, corner and cranny” of his area right through the quest.

“They were given a seek warrant. 4 departments and a pass judgement on signed off on a seek warrant for a squirrel and a raccoon. After which they took them and killed them,” a visibly disillusioned Longo mentioned.  

Peanut was once rescued at 5 weeks of age by means of his adoptive human oldsters after his mom was once run over by means of a automotive. (peanut_the_squirrel12 by the use of Instagram)

The New York State Police directed Fox Information Virtual to DEC when requested to remark. DEC didn’t instantly reply when contacted.

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In saying the rodent’s loss of life, and protecting a framed drawing of the squirrel, a teary Longo instructed fans on an Instagram video that “Peanut was once the most productive factor that ever took place to us.”

“RIP MY BEST FRIEND. Thanks for the most productive seven years of my existence,” he wrote within the caption. “Thanks for bringing such a lot pleasure to us and the sector. I’m sorry I failed you however thanks for the whole thing.”

The Related Press contributed to this record.