Peanut, an orphaned squirrel who was a social media sensation, was seized by New York state authorities and euthanized resulting from issues over rabies publicity. Authorities made the transfer after a number of nameless complaints to the Division of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Officers additionally seized a raccoon named Fred through the operation, citing public well being issues.
Peanut had over 540,000 Instagram followers and followers around the globe who delighted in his exploits, akin to nibbling on waffles and donning tiny costumes. His demise has turn out to be a rallying level for Donald Trump supporters simply days forward of the US Presidential elections.
Listed here are 10 newest updates on Peanut
- On October 30, officers from the state Division of Environmental Conservation (DEC) raided Mark Longo’s dwelling, seizing Peanut and a raccoon named Fred.
2. In a press release on Tuesday, the DEC confirmed that Peanut had been euthanised, stating it was needed for rabies testing after a human was bitten by the squirrel.
3. “An individual concerned with the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. To check for rabies, each animals have been euthanized,” the company stated.
4. Peanut had been rescued by Mark Longo, who runs an animal sanctuary, seven years in the past after witnessing his mom being hit by a automotive in New York Metropolis.
5. He stated he was within the technique of submitting paperwork to get Peanut licensed as an academic animal when he was seized.
6. Following the incident, Longo expressed his heartbreak and outrage on social media, criticizing those that reported him to the authorities. He accused these people of selfishness, stating, “Web, you WON. You took probably the most wonderful animals away from me.”
7. The row has since snowballed with a number of customers on X (previously Twitter) and Tiktok calling the killing unethical and looking for ‘justice for Peanut’. A number of Donald Trump supporters have additionally appealed to voters to not vote for Kamala Harris, who wouldn’t cease such incidents.
8. The controversy was amplified by Trump’s prime backer and the world’s richest man, Elon Musk.
9. The tech tycoon introduced to his 200 million followers on X: “Authorities overreach kidnapped an orphan squirrel and executed him” — linking to a information story that confirmed a cuddly Peanut sporting a squirrel-sized cowboy hat.
10. One viral publish even claimed that Trump paused his barnstorming of battleground states to blast New York’s execution of Peanut the Squirrel, however his staff has claimed that the remark is faux. Trump’s marketing campaign resolutely denied the remark that had gone viral.
