Peanut The Instagram-Famous Squirrel Did Not Have Rabies After All, But We Were Scared of ‘Contracting Rabies,’ State Officials Say

Peanut, an Instagram-famous pet squirrel owned by Mark Longo, has become the center of a contentious legal and political saga following the animal’s euthanization by New York State environmental officers.

Peanut, who had over 500,000 Instagram followers and frequently appeared in photos wearing a tiny cowboy hat or enjoying treats like waffles, was euthanized after an officer was bitten during a search of Longo’s home, sparking fears of rabies exposure.

However, it was revealed on Tuesday that neither Peanut nor a raccoon named Fred—also euthanized—had rabies, according to test results shared by Chemung County officials.

Chemung County Executive Chris Moss, presenting certificates of the animals’ negative rabies tests at a news conference, defended the officers’ actions as necessary protocol, citing the serious risk rabies poses to humans.

“I realize people want to vent,” Moss said, acknowledging public frustration, “but at the end of the day, I think you have to realize the seriousness of humans contracting rabies.” Nonetheless, Moss suggested the county could explore alternatives in future cases, potentially waiting longer before taking drastic measures with unauthorized animals.

For Longo, Peanut’s euthanization has stirred deep outrage and a sense of betrayal. “It was a 10-month investigation for a squirrel and a racoon. We have murderers and rapists running the streets and they didn’t get investigations like this,” he said, adding that he had not received any personal notification about the animals’ fate or the rabies test results.

“These people don’t have the stones to give me a call to say ‘Hey, I killed your animals, also I cut their heads off, also Peanut doesn’t have rabies,’ like we all knew at the beginning of this story,” he stated passionately.

Longo, who originally found Peanut in New York City after witnessing its mother hit by a car, had cared for the squirrel for seven years. After attempting to release the squirrel, only to find it injured and back at his doorstep, Longo decided to keep Peanut permanently. His posts documenting the squirrel’s antics attracted a large following, which has now swelled to over 900,000.

The case has stirred public controversy, reaching into political discussions. Some commentators criticized the seizure as government overreach, particularly given Longo’s long, benign care of Peanut.

Vice president-elect J.D. Vance even referenced the case at a rally, claiming that “the same government that doesn’t care about hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrant criminals coming into our country doesn’t want us to have pets.” As a result, the public furor around the case grew intense, leading to threats directed at the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers involved.

The DEC union clarified that officers only followed protocol and did not decide the animals’ fate, while Moss suggested it was unfair to place blame on either the DEC or county health department. Nonetheless, Longo is set to pursue legal action.

“Absolutely, we are filing a very big lawsuit,” he said, arguing that his rights had been violated and demanding accountability for what he called “the murder” of his beloved animals.

Criticism of the Decision to Euthanize Peanut

The euthanization of Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon by New York State environmental officers has drawn significant criticism from various perspectives, ranging from ethical concerns to procedural flaws. Critics argue that the decision reflects an overreach of government authority, a lack of compassion, and a misalignment of priorities.

First, the necessity of euthanizing Peanut and Fred is highly questionable. The justification provided by Chemung County officials—that euthanasia was protocol due to the risk of rabies—has been undermined by the negative rabies test results. The lack of rabies raises serious doubts about whether such drastic action was warranted.

Critics contend that alternative measures, such as quarantining the animals for observation or testing without euthanasia, should have been explored. The failure to consider less invasive options highlights a lack of flexibility in applying protocols, leading to unnecessary harm.

Second, the handling of the situation reflects a troubling disregard for the bond between Longo and his animals. Peanut was not just a wild animal but a pet that had been cared for by Longo for seven years and was beloved by a large online community.

The abrupt seizure and euthanization, reportedly without notifying Longo of the outcomes or test results, show a lack of transparency and empathy. This approach has been criticized as bureaucratic indifference, failing to respect the emotional and social significance of the animals to their caretaker and the public.

Additionally, critics argue that the case exemplifies misaligned priorities in law enforcement and public health. As Longo pointed out, resources were dedicated to a ten-month investigation into a pet squirrel and raccoon, while more pressing issues such as violent crime receive less attention. This misallocation of effort has fueled public outrage and perceptions of government overreach.

The broader implications of the case have also drawn criticism. The incident raises questions about the balance between public safety and individual rights. While rabies is a legitimate concern, the handling of Peanut and Fred suggests a rigid and punitive approach to situations involving non-traditional pets. Critics argue that this sets a dangerous precedent, where bureaucratic protocols trump common sense and compassion.

Moreover, the case has sparked political and ideological debates, with some using it to criticize government inefficiency and overreach. While these discussions may distract from the immediate ethical issues, they underscore the broader dissatisfaction with how the government manages sensitive situations.

The threats directed at environmental officers involved are deeply concerning, but they also reflect the intense public backlash against what many see as an avoidable tragedy.

As the case heads to court, the story of Peanut the squirrel—a beloved pet, an internet icon, and now a flashpoint of political and legal debate—continues to capture widespread attention, sparking conversations on government oversight, pet ownership, and the rights of animal caretakers.

PNUT Meme Token

A meme token inspired by the story of Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT) has seen a massive price surge, reaching $1.6 recently, marking a gain of over 280% in the past 24 hours just after the negative test confirmation.

The token, created on Solana, initially gained traction when Peanut’s story went viral, drawing in supporters and meme enthusiasts who fueled its value increase. Also, Musk’s support amplified this trend, propelling the token’s market cap to over $120 million with high trading volumes across exchanges.