New York resident Mark Longo, 34, was attacked in his rural home by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation on Wednesday. Their purpose? Peanut, a social media star who also happens to be a squirrel. Police also seized a raccoon named Fred from Longo’s home.
On Friday, officials reported that Peanut and the raccoon were killed.
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“On October 30, DEC seized a raccoon and a squirrel living with people, which created the possibility of people contracting rabies. In addition, a person involved in the investigation was bitten by this squirrel. In order to test for rabies, both animals were attacked and tortured,” said the statement. in a statement. “The animals are being tested for rabies and anyone who has had contact with these animals is strongly encouraged to see their doctor.”
A DEC spokesman said in a statement that the raids occurred after the agency received “numerous reports from the public about unsafe areas for wildlife that may have rabies and the illegal keeping of wild animals as pets.”
Seven years ago, Longo says he saw a squirrel hit by a car in New York City and noticed Peanut, who he thought was now an orphan. Longo says he took Peanut home, nursed him for eight months, and then released him into the wild.
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“After a day and a half I found him sitting on my porch with part of his tail missing and his bone sticking out,” Longo told AP News.
He brought back the squirrel and started an Instagram account that had amassed 534K followers.
“DEC came to my house and raided my house without a search warrant to find the kiwili!” Longo told AP News. “I was treated like I was selling drugs and they were carrying drugs and guns.”
Longo spoke about the incident on Instagram.
“Everyone who has a pet is still shocked that this could happen to them,” he said from the Animal Rescue Mission.
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