New York authorities euthanize social media star Peanut the squirrel

An orphaned squirrel that became a social media star called Peanut was euthanized after New York authorities seized the beloved pet during a raid on his caretaker’s home, authorities said.

After anonymous complaints, officers from the state’s department of environmental conservation (DEC) took the squirrel and a raccoon named Fred from Mark Longo’s home near the Pennsylvania border in rural Pine City on Wednesday, Longo said.

On Friday, the DEC and Chemung county department of health confirmed both animals’ fate.