US authorities seize and euthanise Instagram-famous squirrel

Peanut, a squirrel made well-known by his giant and devoted Instagram following, has been euthanised simply days after being seized by New York authorities.

The state Division of Environmental Conservation (DEC) raided the house of Mark Longo on Wednesday following complaints of probably unsafe housing for the animal.

Earlier this week, Mr Longo pleaded with authorities for Peanut’s secure return, writing on Instagram that there was a “particular place in hell” for the DEC.

Authorities, nevertheless, stated that they put the animal down after he bit an official concerned in his seizure. The DEC additionally stated it had euthanised a raccoon named Fred that they took away in the course of the raid from Mr Longo’s house.

Information of Peanut’s demise got here as a petition calling for his return had garnered greater than 30,000 signatures by Friday afternoon.

On Thursday, Mr Longo had stated he was elevating cash for authorized charges towards the DEC. A GoFundMe he arrange had raised about $13,500 (£10,400).

The ordeal, he stated in a Friday morning publish, had develop into a “horrible nightmare”.

After Peanut’s demise, Mr Longo posted the telephone variety of the DEC on-line and urged supporters to name the organisation to “categorical your emotions”.

“We won’t let this be Pnuts ultimate reminiscence,” he wrote.

In a separate Instagram story, he thanked Peanut’s followers for the “love and help” his household had acquired and known as for donations to assist different animals stored in his “freedom farm”.

A DEC assertion stated an investigation had been launched after receiving “a number of experiences from the general public concerning the probably unsafe housing of wildlife that would carry rabies and the unlawful protecting of wildlife as pets”.

Mr Longo took Peanut in seven years in the past after he noticed the newborn squirrel by his mom, who had been hit by a automotive.

He cared for Peanut till he was sturdy sufficient to be launched, however stated he discovered the critter again on his porch the next morning with “a piece of his tail lacking”.

Peanut’s Instagram account has amassed greater than 500,000 followers within the time since.

The account options movies of Peanut taking part in out skits with Mr Longo, often wearing hats, typically climbing over him or being hugged, and repeatedly consuming waffles.