Timeline of decision to euthanize squirrel causing outrage and death threats released.
P’Nut, the famous squirrel from Instagram, was recently in the news after being confiscated from his owners and euthanized due to complaints about keeping wildlife without permits. However, it has been confirmed that P’Nut did not have rabies, as initially feared. This revelation was made by public officials in Chemung County, New York, during a press conference.
P’Nut, also known as Peanut, along with a raccoon named Fred, was taken from their home on October 30 following complaints about owning wildlife without the necessary permits. During the confiscation, P’Nut bit a wildlife biologist through two pairs of gloves, leading to concerns about rabies and the subsequent post-mortem testing. Despite being considered pets by their owners, Mark and Daniela Longo, both animals were euthanized on the same day of their seizure.
The Longos criticized the confiscation on social media, sparking outrage and debate about government intervention. P’Nut became a symbol of this controversy and garnered support from various public figures, including Elon Musk and JD Vance. The county executive, Chris Moss, addressed the public during the news conference, presenting certificates confirming the negative test results for both animals and justifying the decision to euthanize them.
Mr. Moss also provided a timeline of events leading up to the euthanasia, revealing that discussions about testing and euthanasia had taken place as early as October 22, prior to the raid on the Longos’ home. He emphasized the importance of presenting all facts to dispel any misinformation and violent threats directed at the agencies involved in the confiscation.
Despite the backlash, Mr. Moss highlighted the seriousness of rabies transmission to humans as a critical factor in the decision-making process. The confirmation that P’Nut did not have rabies serves as a crucial update to the story and clarifies the circumstances surrounding the controversial confiscation and euthanasia.
Source: The NY Times
