Famous on Instagram* Peanut the squirrel was euthanized after New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officials removed the animal from owner Mark Longo’s home. NBC News reported this.
Peanut, who had more than half a million followers on Instagram*as well as a raccoon named Fred They were euthanized for rabies testing.
The inspectors raided Longo’s house after another of numerous anonymous complaints.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation seized the squirrel and raccoon on Wednesday after officials learned the animals were “sharing with people, creating the potential for human exposure to rabies,” according to a report. joint statement with Chemung County Health Department.
It is noted that the squirrel bit one of the employees involved in the investigation of the Peanut and Fred case.
Officials are “coordinating their efforts to ensure public health protection related to the illegal possession of wild animals that may carry the rabies virus,” according to the statement. Anyone who has been in contact with animals should consult their doctor.
Peanut lived with Mark Longo for 7 years, ever since the squirrel’s mother was hit by a car in New York. Longo took the animal home and cared for it for 8 months before attempting to release it into the wild. However, Peanut returned a day and a half later with a broken bone protruding from his tail. Longo concluded that the pet could not survive alone in the wild and kept the squirrel.
Fred the raccoon showed up at the house later.
*Extremist organization banned on the territory of the Russian Federation.
