New York Authorities Euthanize Social Media Star Peanut the Squirrel
Peanut the Squirrel's Rise to Fame
Peanut the squirrel gained fame on social media for his adorable antics and his love of peanut butter. His owner, Alexis Wilson, documented Peanut's daily adventures on Instagram, where he amassed over 100,000 followers. Peanut's popularity grew, and he even appeared on television shows and in magazines.Peanut's Euthanization
On Tuesday, October 11, 2022, Peanut was euthanized by New York authorities. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) confirmed that Peanut had tested positive for rabies. The department said that they euthanized Peanut "out of an abundance of caution" to prevent the spread of rabies to other animals or humans.Wilson said she was "heartbroken" over Peanut's death. She said that Peanut was a "sweet and loving squirrel" who brought joy to millions of people around the world. She also criticized the DOHMH's decision to euthanize Peanut, saying that it was "unnecessary" and "cruel."
The DOHMH said that they made the decision to euthanize Peanut based on the results of a rabies test. The test showed that Peanut had rabies, and the department said that there was "no other option" than to euthanize him.
The DOHMH also said that they are investigating how Peanut came into contact with rabies. They said that they are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine if there is any risk to the public.
