RIP Peanut. The Peanut the Squirrel controversy centers on a beloved, internet-famous squirrel who was seized and euthanized by New York state authorities, sparking outrage among fans and animal rights advocates. Peanut, rescued as a baby by Mark Longo and raised in his Pine City home, became a social media sensation, adored for his playful antics and quirky hats. However, after an alleged biting incident involving a state officer, New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation and the Chemung County Department of Health intervened, citing concerns about rabies.
Both Peanut and a raccoon named Fred, also kept by Longo, were euthanized for rabies testing, as required by state protocol. Longo, who was reportedly working on obtaining certification for Peanut as an educational animal, criticized the heavy-handed raid on his home, which took hours and involved multiple officers. The incident has since ignited debates over the ethics of wildlife laws, the treatment of domesticated wild animals, and whether the authorities’ actions were warranted, drawing reactions from fans, celebrities, and even Elon Musk.
10-12 officers from Albany, 2 hours away, conducted a court-ordered raid on an animal sanctuary, killing Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon, despite the owner’s efforts to obtain permits and the low risk of rabies.
The raid was triggered by a single complaint from an unnamed Texas woman, allegedly motivated by jealousy over the sanctuary’s success and the animals’ popularity.
Authorities focused on the complainant’s immigration status during the raid, while allowing illegally present individuals to remain in the country, sparking outrage over the double standard.
The killing of Peanut and Fred was deemed unnecessary, as the animals could have been quarantined and observed for rabies instead.
Some attempted to portray the controversy as a MAGA issue, despite its lack of political relevance, while a Washington Post writer was criticized for heartlessness and misinformation.
The case has sparked international headlines and calls for an audit of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation and dismissal of those involved in the raid.
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