Peanut the Squirrel and Fred the Raccoon euthanized by by by NY state officials

UPDATE: Trump has not issued a statement

UPDATE: When I get something wrong I admit it. It was previously reported Donald Trump released a statement on this issue. He has not. The statement was fake.

The rest of the story is real

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Two beloved social media icons, Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon, were euthanized by New York state authorities following their seizure from a residence due to rabies concerns. This decision comes amid an investigation by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which confirmed the animals’ euthanasia to NBC News on Friday.

The animals, known for their heartwarming presence on Instagram, where Peanut alone had amassed over 536,000 followers, were taken from their owner, Mark Longo, on October 30. According to a statement from the DEC and the Chemung County Department of Health, both Peanut and Fred were removed due to potential human exposure to rabies, as they were housed in close contact with humans. The DEC reported that Peanut bit one of the officials during the seizure, intensifying concerns over potential rabies transmission.

Authorities initiated the investigation after receiving multiple reports from the public regarding possible risks associated with housing wildlife as pets, the DEC told the Associated Press. Under New York law, it is illegal to keep wild animals as domestic pets without a license, a regulation Longo acknowledged, though he mentioned efforts to certify Peanut as an "education animal."

Mark Longo, who operates P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, expressed heartbreak on social media, sharing an emotional video alongside his wife, Dani. "It is with profound sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news," they wrote on Peanut’s Instagram page. "Despite our passionate outcry for compassion, the agency chose to ignore our pleas, leaving us in deep shock and grief… Their lives were precious, and we refuse to accept this loss in silence."

Longo had cared for Peanut for seven years, having rescued the squirrel after witnessing its mother being struck by a car. Peanut and Fred’s charm drew in a dedicated fanbase, with videos of their adventures shared frequently to Instagram and Facebook. Longo had also been rehabilitating Fred, with plans to release the raccoon back into the wild once healed.

For many fans, the loss of Peanut and Fred marks the end of an era on social media. As questions arise over wildlife ownership and rabies risks, the public mourning reflects the animals’ lasting impact.