Mark Longo, who called Peanut the Squirrel his pet for the past seven years, described New York’s decision to seize and euthanize the wild animal turned social media star as 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,” Longo said. “The big bridges down the street cannot be fixed, but we used resources to kill a squirrel. It horrifies me.
What happened to the squirrel?
Peanut and Fred were euthanized by authorities.
The DEC and the Chemung County Department of Health claimed it was because a team member was bitten by Peanut.
Longo was understandably devastated by the outcome.
He released the following statement: “We share the devastating news with great sadness: on October 30th, the DEC made the terrible decision to put our beloved Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon to death.
Despite our passionate outcry for compassion, the agency ignored our pleas, leaving us in deep shock and grief. To make matters worse, they told the media about their decision before informing his devoted home, P’nuts Freedom Farm. This shows a concerning lack of empathy and respect. We will not quietly accept this loss because their lives were valuable.
What is the result of Peanut’s rabies test?
Peanut’s rabies test results have not been made public.
USA TODAY has not received a response to its request for an update from the Chemung County Department of Health or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the results of a rabies test are typically available within 24-72 hours after an animal is euthanized.
Can squirrels get rabies?
Though it is rare, squirrels can carry rabies, and a squirrel can pass along the virus to humans.
According to Critter Control, a wildlife removal service, the saliva of a rabid squirrel contains a high concentration of the virus. Rabies is then contracted by direct contact, either by a bite, scratch, or exposure to salvia. Common symptoms of a rabid squirrel include walking in circles, falling over, drooling, aggression, and muscle spasms, Critter Control reports.
Why must animals be put down to test for rabies?
According to the CDC, animals showing signs of rabies must be euthanized for the submission of specimens to a qualified rabies laboratory for testing. This is because a rabies test includes a “complete cross-section of tissue from both the brain stem and cerebellum.” There are no recognized techniques for testing animals for rabies.
The Chemung County Department of Health and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recommended that anyone who has come into contact with the confiscated raccoon or squirrel seek medical attention.
Is it permissible to keep squirrels as pets in New York?
Young wildlife cannot be kept as pets, according to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.
According to the Department of Environmental Conservation, “inappropriate care given to young wildlife often results in abnormal attachment to humans.” “Some people return to their homes after being released, only to be struck by cars or attacked by domestic animals. Additionally, some might be pushed into another species’ home range as unwanted intruders.
The department advises contacting a wildlife rehabilitator if someone discovers a young wild animal that is hurt or abandoned, as they “are the only people legally allowed to receive and treat distressed wildlife.”
Rehabilitators aim to safely return the animal to the wild once it is healthy.
