Peanut the Squirrel Euthanized, Social Media Star’s Owner Says ‘Sorry I Failed You’

“DEC has made the devastating decision to euthanize our beloved Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon,” Longo said in a statement Nov. 1.

Beloved social media star Peanut the Squirrel has died, his owner announced Friday.

Two days after Peanut, whose name is also spelled P’Nut or PNUT, was seized by officers from the New York Department of Environmental Conservationhis owner, Mark Longo, announced that the squirrel and Fred the raccoon had been euthanized.

“It is with deep sadness that we share the heartbreaking news: On October 30, DEC made the devastating decision to euthanize our beloved Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon,” Longo said in a statement shared on Peanut’s Instagram account Friday, November 1.

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Peanut’s death was confirmed in a joint statement from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Chemung County Health Department shared with PEOPLE.

“The Chemung County Health Department and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are coordinating to ensure the protection of public health related to the illegal possession of wild animals that have the potential to carry the rabies virus,” the statement said. .

“On Oct. 30, DEC seized a raccoon and squirrel that share a residence with humans, creating the potential for human exposure to rabies. In addition, one person involved in the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. To test for rabies, both animals were euthanized, the animals are being tested for rabies and anyone who has been in contact with these animals is encouraged to consult their doctor,” the statement continued.

People reached out to the Department of Environmental Conservation for an update, but did not immediately hear back.

Related: Woman preparing to adopt a 2-year-old dog from the shelter. An hour before pick-up, the dog was accidentally euthanized

Longo expressed his “anguish” in his statement on Instagram, saying he was “in shock and deep pain” at the “disturbing lack of respect and empathy” in the matter.

“Their lives were precious and we refuse to accept this loss in silence,” his statement continued.

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The update comes a few hours later Longo expressed that there was a “small chance” that he could bring Peanut home. He asked his followers to continue supporting a Change.org petition and a GoFundMe campaign made to help “cover the legal fees for the lawyers who will help us sort out the damages and secure Peanut’s return to his loving home.”

In a second post on Friday, a tearful Longo shared a Instagram video of himself holding a drawing of Peanuts.

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“RIP MY BEST FRIEND. Thank you for the best 7 years of my life. Thank you for bringing so much joy to us and the world. Sorry to fail you but thank you for everything Yall we have desperately need your help.Help us raise money to fight this and help us @pnuts_freedom_farm keep helping animals like peanuts,” the caption read.