Who was Peanut? A heated argument erupts in the US when social media star squirrel is euthanized; MAGA is turning tragedy into an election ploy

Peanut the squirrel, a popular social media personality, was killed after being confiscated by New York State earlier this week, the Department of Environmental Protection said.

Fred the raccoon and Mark Longo's seven-year-old gray rescue squirrel, known as “P'Nut” on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, were euthanized together to test the animals for rabies, WETM reported, citing a statement from the Agency. The DEC seized them during a raid in response to anonymous complaints about the animals' living conditions.

P'NUT, who lived with Longo for seven years, gained fame for his amusing antics. He was often seen devouring waffles while wearing crocheted bunny ears or little cowboy hats.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection issues a statement

The fate of P'Nut and Fred was confirmed in a statement from the DEC and the Chemung County Department of Health.

“On October 30, DEC seized a raccoon and a squirrel that were sharing a residence with humans, posing a risk of rabies to humans. In addition, a person involved in the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. “To test for rabies, both animals were euthanized,” authorities said, according to CBS News. The animals will be tested for rabies and anyone who has come into contact with them is strongly advised to contact their doctor.

The shelter's owner, Longo, claimed to have adopted P'Nut after a car hit his mother in New York.

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On Peanut's Instagram account, the squirrel can be seen putting on little hats, clutching and chewing waffles, jumping through a hoop and hopping on Longo's shoulder.

“It is with deep sadness that we share the heartbreaking news: On October 30, the DEC made the devastating decision to euthanize our beloved Peanut squirrel and Fred our raccoon. Despite our impassioned cries for compassion, the agency ignored our pleas, leaving us in deep shock and sadness,” reads an Instagram post with a video montage of the animals interacting with their lucky guardians.

In a heartbreaking post, Longo mentioned that “Peanut was the best thing that ever happened to us.”

“Tear apart my best friend. Thank you for the best 7 years of my life. Thank you for bringing so much joy to us and the world. I’m sorry I let you down, but thank you for everything,” Longo said.

In April 2023, Longo and his wife Daniela founded P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary. According to Longo, it is currently home to over 300 animals, including alpacas, goats and horses. He claimed that he was in the process of completing the necessary paperwork to approve P'NUT as a learner animal when Peanut was taken away.

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Previously, Longo, 34, who has posted several videos of Peanut on TikTok and Instagram, expressed his sadness on social media over the seizure and vowed to do everything in his power to reunite with his beloved pet . He even started a campaign to get his squirrel back. In a post following the seizure of his pet squirrel, Longo said, “Well the Internet, you win,” and assumed that the reports that sparked the seizure came from Internet users who didn't like him.

Maga uses P'NUT's death as an election ploy

Meanwhile, several social media users expressed their anguish and outrage over the incident, with MAGA turning the entire incident into an election ploy in the run-up to the November 5 election.

“Government officials confiscated this man’s squirrel and killed it,” wrote Ian Miles Cheong on X.

“Without a search warrant, the @NYSDEC entered his home, confiscated Peanut, and put him down just two days later,” Prometheus (DARK MAGA) tweeted, hoping that “every single one of them gets exactly the punishment they deserve.”

“I've been on the fence for a while now. But if the Democrats actually came in and killed this guy's eight-year-old squirrel… Bring me the red hat…” a third user explained.