P’nut the Squirrel, an internet sensation with a large following across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, has tragically passed away.
This happened after New York‘s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) seized the pet earlier in the week and subsequently killed the seven-year-old gray squirrel.
The DEC explained that P’nut, along with another rescued animal, Fred the raccoon, was put down to test for rabies, particularly because someone involved in the investigation had been bitten.
Mark Longo, P’nut’s guardian, shared a tearful tribute to his beloved companion in an emotional Instagram post. “P’nut was the best thing that ever happened to us,†he expressed in a video with his girlfriend by his side.
The heartfelt message accompanying the post read, “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. I’m sorry I failed you, but thank you for everything.â€
The squirrel’s journey with Longo began after a tragic accident. In Connecticut, Longo rescued P’nut when he witnessed the squirrel’s mother struck by a car.
The bond between them grew so strong that Longo moved to upstate New York and launched “P’Nut’s Freedom Farm,†a sanctuary aimed at saving and caring for animals.
On Wednesday, the DEC acted on multiple anonymous complaints, confiscating both P’nut and Fred. This seizure prompted a wave of frustration and grief from Longo, who voiced his anger on social media.
“Well, internet, you WON,†he wrote, accusing complainants of selfishness for taking away his cherished animals. He also criticized those who reported him, saying, “To the group of people who called DEC, there’s a special place in hell for you.â€
The DEC defended its actions, stating that P’nut was considered a rabies vector species, especially after biting an investigator during the seizure.
The agency emphasized the need to test both animals for rabies, encouraging anyone who had been in contact with them to seek medical advice.
This article by Trinity Sparke was first published by One Green Planet on 5 November 2024. Image Credit :K.IvanS/Shutterstock.
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