Par
Johann Foucault
Published on Nov 2, 2024 at 3:37 p.m.
“Peanut the squirrel” had become an Instagram star and delighted his approximately 500,000 subscribers. But to the great dismay of its master, the wild animal was seized by health authorities in the New York region (United States), who had it euthanized due to a risk of spreading the rabies virusthey indicated on Friday November 1, 2024.
Its owner, Mark Longo, a local resident who created the videos on the social network, announced, with sobs in his voice and eyes full of tears, the death of the one who “brought us so much joy. and to the world.”
A squirrel with 500,000 subscribers
With videos showing him jumping from one corner to another and snatching food, the black squirrel had become an Instagram star, exceeding 500,000 subscribers.
But New York State health authorities, alerted by “numerous reports of potentially dangerous housing of wild animals likely to carry rabies and illegal keeping of wild animals as wildlife company,” went to Mark Longo’s home Wednesday and seized the squirrel, as well as a raccoon.
A person bitten by Peanut the squirrel
Because the owner of the animals opened a shelter, the “P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary”.
Videos: currently on Actu
On Friday, authorities announced that the animals had been euthanized to be tested for rabies, saying one person had been bitten by “Peanut the squirrel.” They called on anyone who had been in contact with the animals to seek medical attention.
But for Mark Longo, “the fight continues”. On Instagram, he asked fans of “Peanut the Squirrel” to help him raise funds for his “legal battles” and for his “shelter”.
With AFP
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