According to the DEC and the Chemung County Department of Health, Fred and Peanut were euthanized after a person involved with the investigation was bitten by Peanut.

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, who has amassed more than half a million Instagram followers, was euthanized by officials to be tested for rabies.

A New York man who turned a rescued squirrel into a social media star called Peanut is pleading with state authorities to return his beloved pet after they seized it during a raid.

Based on Peanut’s Instagram account, he's clearly no ordinary squirrel. He knows how to jump with precision, wears a trendy cowboy hat, and even eats waffles.

Mark Longo, who called Peanut the Squirrel his pet for this past seven years, described the New York's decision to seize and euthanize the wild animal turned social media star a "disgrace." "What happened today and what transpired throughout this week has been nothing short of a tragedy and a disgrace to the New York state,

The plight of an Instagram-famous pet squirrel that was euthanised by New York wildlife officials has become a campaign talking point two days before the US presidential election. Donald Trump's running mate,

Facebook post said, featuring a statement attributed to former President Donald Trump on what looks like a campaign press release. "New York authorities, under their terrible Governor, put more effort into finding an eliminating a squirrel,

Fans have been in an uproar since internet sensation Peanut the squirrel was seized from his owner's home and euthanized by New York officials this week, over what they say was the unfair killing of a beloved family member.