The controversy over Peanut, the pet squirrel and social media sensation seized by the state Department of Environmental Conservation and euthanized last week, has raised questions about who can and should handle wildlife in New York.

Two days after he was seized from his home in New York, Peanut the Squirrel has been euthanized. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Chemung County Department of Health announced through a statement on Friday afternoon that both a squirrel and raccoon were confiscated from a residence on Wednesday had been euthanized to test for rabies.

A man who took in an orphaned squirrel and made it a social media star vowed Saturday that New York state’s decision to seize and euthanize the animal “won’t go unheard.”

Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon were confiscated and euthanized that week, here’s how the incident became political.

It has not been announced that the bomb threats correlate with the seizure and euthanasia of Peanut the Squirrel.

The owners of Peanut the Squirrel have spoken out after the pet was seized and euthanized by authorities. Mark and Daniela Longo suspect someone jealous of their success may have called the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to have the animal removed from their sanctuary.

A New York State Assemblyman has introduced a new law after an internet-famous squirrel was euthanized in Upstate New York.