Instagram icon Peanut the Squirrel has been euthanised by authorities

Social media prima Peanut the squirrel has been killed aft authorities seized him and a raccoon called Fred successful a raid connected their caretaker’s home.

Mark Longo said helium took Peanut into his Pine City location aft seeing his parent get deed by a car successful New York City 10 years ago.

Since then, the squirrel has gained much than 500,000 followers connected Instagram and 39,000 connected TikTok.

In videos published to the platforms, Peanut tin beryllium seen leaping onto Mr Longon and sharing waffles with the man, who runs an carnal sanctuary.

Some of the astir precocious clips amusement him posing with a shirtless Longo alongside pumpkins and sweets, overmuch to the glee of their fans.

But they didn’t marque it to Halloween.

On October 30, officers from the authorities Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) raided Mr Longo’s location aft receiving anonymous complaints.

They past killed Peanut and the raccoon successful bid to trial them for rabies.

A spokesperson said: ‘DEC seized a raccoon and squirrel sharing a residence with humans, creating the imaginable for quality vulnerability to rabies.

‘In addition, a idiosyncratic progressive with the probe was bitten by the squirrel. To trial for rabies, some animals were euthanised.

‘The animals are being tested for rabies and anyone who has been successful interaction with these animals is powerfully encouraged to consult their physician.’

Mr Longo announced Peanut’s decease connected Friday, penning connected Instagram: ‘It is with profound sorrow that we stock the heartbreaking news: connected October 30th, the DEC made the devastating determination to euthanize our beloved Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon.

‘Despite our passionate outcry for compassion, the bureau chose to disregard our pleas, leaving america successful heavy daze and grief.’

Referring to Peanut arsenic his champion friend, Mr Longo launched a GoFundMe run to situation the DEC’s actions, request betterment and support their carnal sanctuary running.

More than £34,000 had been donated by Saturday, November 2.

Mr Longo, who opened the P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary with his woman Daniela successful April 2023, said helium was successful the process of filing paperwork to get Peanut certified arsenic an acquisition carnal erstwhile helium was seized.

The sanctuary is present location to 300 animals, including horses, goats and alpacas, Mr Longo said.

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