Source: Albany Democrat-Herald
“An orphaned squirrel that became a social media star called Peanut was euthanized after state authorities seized the beloved pet during a raid on his caretaker’s home, authorities said Friday. Officers from the state Department of Environmental Conservation took the squirrel and a raccoon named Fred from Mark Longo’s home near the Pennsylvania border in rural Pine City on Wednesday, Longo said. The agency said it received complaints that wildlife was being kept illegally and potentially unsafely. On Friday, the DEC and Chemung County Department of Health confirmed both animals’ fate. … Peanut amassed tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms during the seven years since Longo, who runs an animal sanctuary, said he took him in after seeing the squirrel’s mother get hit by a car in New York City.” (11/02/24)