Social media famous squirrel euthanised after anonymous complaints

A squirrel that became famous on social media has been euthanised after being seized in a raid by New York authorities.

Named Peanut, the squirrel was rescued by Mark Longo seven years ago after he saw its mother being hit by a car in New York City.

With more than 533,000 followers on Instagram, the unusual pet could be seen wearing a cowboy hat, nibbling on waffles, jumping through hoops and sitting on the 34-year-old's shoulder.

But after a number of anonymous complaints New York's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) seized Peanut - as well as a raccoon called Fred - from Mr Longo's home in Pine City on Wednesday.

Both animals were euthanised, the DEC and Chemung County Department of Health confirmed on Friday.

"On October 30, DEC seized a raccoon and squirrel sharing a residence with humans, creating the potential for human exposure to rabies. In addition, a person involved with the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. To test for rabies, both animals were euthanised," the agencies said in a statement, according to CBS News in New York.

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

"I was treated as if I was a drug dealer and they were going for drugs and guns."

After taking the squirrel to his former home in Norwalk, Connecticut, Mr Longo raised Peanut for eight months before trying to release him into the wild.

But nearly two days later, the conservationist found the squirrel "sitting on my porch missing half of his tail with his bone sticking out" and determined it could not survive in the wild.

Read more from Sky News:
Australian golfer loses sight in one eye
Blur drummer calls assisted dying law 'psychopathic'
Missing parrots found behind family's garden

In an Instagram post before he knew Peanut's fate, Mr Longo suggested social media users reported the squirrel to the DEC, and said: "Well internet, you WON.

"You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness. To the group of people who called DEC, there's a special place in hell for you."

It is against New York state law to own a wild animal such as a squirrel without a licence. Mr Longo said he was aware of this and was filing paperwork to certify Peanut was an educational animal before the raid.

He added: "If we're not following the rules, guide us in the right direction to follow the rules, you know?"

(c) Sky News 2024: Social media famous squirrel euthanised after anonymous complaints