The death of Peanut the squirrel becomes the latest flashpoint ahead of the US election World News

Peanut, an orphaned squirrel that caused a stir on social media, was seized and euthanized by New York state authorities over concerns about the risk of rabies. Authorities took this step after several anonymous complaints to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Officials also seized a raccoon named Fred during the operation, citing public health concerns.

Peanut had over 540,000 Instagram followers and fans around the world who enjoyed his exploits, such as munching on waffles and dressing up in tiny costumes. His death has become a rallying point for Donald Trump supporters just days before the US presidential election.

Here are the 10 latest updates on Peanut

1. On October 30, state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers searched Mark Longo's home and seized Peanut and a raccoon named Fred.

2. In a statement Tuesday, the DEC confirmed that Peanut was euthanized and said it was necessary for rabies testing after a human was bitten by the squirrel.

3. “A person involved in the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. To test for rabies, both animals were euthanized,” the agency said.

4. Peanut was rescued seven years ago by animal shelter operator Mark Longo after he witnessed his mother being hit by a car in New York City.

5. When he was seized, he said he was in the process of submitting paperwork to get Peanut certified as a learner animal.

6. After the incident, Longo expressed his grief and outrage on social media, criticizing those who reported him to authorities. He accused these individuals of selfishness and declared: “Internet, you WON. You took one of the most amazing animals away from me.”

7. Since then, the dispute has worsened, with several users on X (formerly Twitter) and Tiktok calling the killing unethical and demanding “justice for Peanut.” Several Donald Trump supporters have also appealed to voters not to vote for Kamala Harris, who would not prevent such incidents.

8. The controversy was amplified by Trump's main supporter and richest man in the world, Elon Musk.

9. The tech tycoon announced to his 200 million followers

10. A viral post even claimed that Trump paused his sweep of the battleground states to condemn Peanut the Squirrel's execution in New York, but his team claimed the comment was fake. Trump's campaign team firmly denied the comment that went viral.