PINE CITY, N.Y. — A squirrel known as Peanut, who gained fame on social media, was euthanized following a state raid on his caretaker’s residence, officials reported on Friday.

Authorities from the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) seized Peanut along with a raccoon named Fred from Mark Longo’s home in rural Pine City, located near the Pennsylvania border. The action was prompted by anonymous complaints, according to Longo.

Both the DEC and the Chemung County Department of Health later confirmed the fate of the animals. In a statement, they explained, “On October 30, DEC removed a raccoon and a squirrel living in close proximity to humans, raising concerns about potential rabies exposure. Furthermore, an individual involved in this investigation was bitten by the squirrel. To conduct rabies testing, both animals were euthanized.” The agencies advised anyone who may have interacted with these animals to seek medical consultation.

Requests for comments from both agencies have gone unanswered.

Peanut became quite popular on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, attracting tens of thousands of followers over the years since Longo rescued him after witnessing his mother being struck by a vehicle in New York City. Peanut’s social media showcased playful moments, from jumping onto Longo’s shoulder to performing tricks and enjoying snacks while donning little hats.

In a heartfelt Instagram post shared on Friday, Longo expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating, “It is with profound sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news: on October 30th, the DEC made the devastating decision to euthanize our beloved Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon. Despite our passionate outcry for compassion, the agency chose to ignore our pleas, leaving us in deep shock and grief.” The post included a touching video montage featuring moments between the animals and their caretakers.

Longo, along with his wife Daniela, founded the P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary in April 2023, which currently shelters approximately 300 animals, including horses, goats, and alpacas. Longo mentioned he was in the process of obtaining certification for Peanut as an educational animal at the time of the seizure.