Man says it’s ‘surreal’ that officials euthanized pet squirrel Peanut

NEW YORK (AP) — A man who took successful an orphaned squirrel and made it a societal media prima vowed Saturday that New York state’s determination to seize and euthanize nan animal “won’t spell unheard.”

“We will make a stance connected really this authorities and New York authorities utilizes their resources,” Mark Longo said successful a telephone interview.

He declined to specify his imaginable adjacent steps but said officials would perceive from him soon astir what happened to Peanut nan squirrel and Fred, a rescued raccoon that was besides confiscated and put down.

The authorities Department of Environmental Conservation took nan animals Wednesday from Longo’s location and animal sanctuary successful agrarian Pine City, adjacent nan Pennsylvania border. The agency said it had gotten complaints that wildlife was being kept illegally and perchance unsafely.

State rule requires group to get a licence if they wish to ain a chaotic animal. Longo has said he was moving to get Peanut — besides known arsenic P’Nut aliases PNUT — certified arsenic an acquisition animal.

The DEC and nan Chemung County Health Department said Friday that nan squirrel and raccoon were euthanized truthful they could beryllium tested for rabies aft Peanut spot personification progressive successful nan investigation.

Longo said Saturday that he didn’t spot Peanut wound anyone during what he described arsenic an hourslong, heavy-handed search. The authorities haven’t spoken pinch him since they near nan property, he said.

“Honestly, this still benignant of feels surreal, that nan authorities that I unrecorded successful really targeted maine and took 2 of nan astir beloved animals connected this satellite away, didn’t moreover quarantine them. They took them from my location and conscionable killed them,” he said.

A petition for remark was sent to nan DEC connected Saturday.

Longo said he started caring for Peanut aft nan animal’s mother was deed by a car successful New York City 7 years ago. Tens of thousands of users of Instagram, TikTok and different societal media platforms glimpsed nan animal sporting mini hats, doing tricks and nibbling connected waffles clutched successful his small paws.

Longo said Fred nan raccoon was dropped disconnected connected his doorstep a fewer months ago. After helping nan animal retrieve from injuries, Longo said, he and his woman were readying to merchandise nan animal into nan woods.

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Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed. Follow Julie Walker connected X @jwalkreporter.