P’nut the Squirrel, of internet fame, has been euthanized after the pet was seized by New York state earlier this week, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation.
The 7-year-old gray rescue squirrel, commonly referred to as P’Nut on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, was put to death, along with Fred the raccoon, so that the animals could be tested for rabies, according to a statement from the agency obtained by WETM.
P’nut’s guardian, Mark Longo, took to Instagram to memorialize his beloved pet in a video.
Through tears, Longo, with his girlfriend at his side, said, “P’nut was the best thing that ever happened to us.”
“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,” Longo wrote in a caption to the post announcing P’nut’s death.
Longo also asked fans for financial help for a “legal battle” and for his nonprofit P’Nut’s Freedom Farm.
The DEC claims that P’nut, who was notably docile and friendly over the course of his very public-facing life, bit one of the investigators on the hand while being confiscated from his Elmira home on Wednesday.
“In addition, a person involved with 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 strongly encouraged to consult their physician,” the DEC statement read, according to WETM.
P’nut was rescued by Longo, after the Connecticut native witnessed the animal’s mother hit by a car.
The resilient and adorable P’nut inspired Longo to move to upstate New York last year and found P’Nut’s Freedom Farm, an animal sanctuary and rescue operation.
