Social media star squirrel seized in New York raid

A squirrel that became celebrated connected societal media has been seized successful a raid, with the animal's proprietor acrophobic New York authorities volition euthanise him.

Named Peanut, the squirrel was rescued by Mark Longo 7 years agone aft helium saw its parent being deed by a car successful New York City.

With much than 533,000 followers connected Instagram, the antithetic favored could beryllium seen wearing a cowboy hat, nibbling connected waffles, jumping done hoops and sitting connected the 34-year-old's shoulder.

After a fig of anonymous complaints, however, New York's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) seized Peanut - arsenic good arsenic a raccoon called Fred - from the man's location successful Pine City connected Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the authorities bureau said it received "multiple reports from the nationalist astir the perchance unsafe lodging of wildlife that could transportation rabies and the amerciable keeping of wildlife arsenic pets".

Mr Longo, who runs an carnal refuge inspired by his squirrel called P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, said: "The DEC came to my location and raided my location without a hunt warrant to find a squirrel!

"I was treated arsenic if I was a cause trader and they were going for drugs and guns."

The squirrel's proprietor added: "I don't cognize if Peanut is alive... I don't cognize wherever helium is."

The DEC spokesperson did not remark connected whether the squirrel had been euthanised.

After taking the squirrel to his erstwhile location successful Norwalk, Connecticut, Mr Longo raised Peanut for 8 months earlier trying to merchandise him into the wild.

But astir 2 days later, the conservationist recovered the squirrel "sitting connected my structure missing fractional of his process with his bony sticking out" and determined it could not past successful the wild.

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He besides suggested connected Instagram that societal media users reported the squirrel to the DEC, and said "Well internet, you WON.

"You took 1 of the astir astonishing animals distant from maine due to the fact that of your selfishness. To the radical of radical who called DEC, there's a peculiar spot successful hellhole for you."

It is against New York authorities instrumentality to ain a chaotic carnal - specified arsenic a squirrel - without a licence. Mr Longo said helium was alert of this and was filing paperwork to certify Peanut arsenic an acquisition carnal earlier the raid.

He added: "If we're not pursuing the rules, usher america successful the close absorption to travel the rules, you know?"

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Mr Longo has since launched a petition and a fundraiser calling for Peanut to beryllium returned.

Sky News has contacted the DEC for further comment.