Odd squirrel seems to think he's a dog.

PINE CITY, N.Y. — An orphaned squirrel that became a social media star called Peanut was euthanized after state authorities seized the beloved pet during a raid on his caretaker's home, authorities said Friday.

Officers from the state Department of Environmental Conservation took the squirrel and a raccoon named Fred from Mark Longo's home near the Pennsylvania border in rural Pine City on Wednesday, Longo said. The agency said it received complaints that wildlife was being kept illegally and potentially unsafely.

On Friday, the DEC and Chemung County Department of Health confirmed both animals' fate.

"On Oct. 30, DEC seized a raccoon and squirrel sharing a residence with humans, creating the potential for human exposure to rabies. In addition, a person involved with the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. To test for rabies, both animals were euthanized," the agencies said in a statement, CBS News in New York reported. "The animals are being tested for rabies and anyone who has been in contact with these animals is strongly encouraged to consult their physician."

Longo said Saturday he didn't see Peanut bite anyone during what he described as an hourslong, heavy-handed search. Authorities haven't spoken with him since they left the property, he said.

He vowed the state's decision to seize and euthanize the animal “won't go unheard.”

“We will make a stance on how this government and New York state utilizes their resources,” he said in a phone interview. He declined to specify his possible next steps but said officials would hear from him soon..

A request for comment was sent to the DEC on Saturday.

Mark Longo's pet squirrel Peanut, which was seized Wednesday by officers from the state Department of Environmental Conservation at Longo's home in rural Pine City, N.Y.

Peanut amassed tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms during the seven years since Longo, who runs an animal sanctuary, said he took him in after seeing the squirrel's mother get hit by a car in New York City.

Peanut's Instagram account shows the squirrel leaping onto Longo's shoulder, jumping through a hoop, holding and eating waffles and wearing miniature hats.

"It is with profound sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news: on October 30th, the DEC made the devastating decision to euthanize our beloved Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon. Despite our passionate outcry for compassion, the agency chose to ignore our pleas, leaving us in deep shock and grief," an Instagram post said Friday, accompanied by a video montage of the animals interacting with their smiling caretakers.

Longo and his wife, Daniela, opened P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary in April 2023. It now houses about 300 animals including horses, goats and alpacas, Longo said.

State law requires people to get a license if they wish to own a wild animal. Longo said he was working to get Peanut — also known as P’Nut or PNUT — certified as an educational animal when he was seized.

He said Fred the raccoon was dropped off on his doorstep a few months ago. After helping the animal recover from injuries, Longo said, he and his wife planned to release the creature into the woods.

“Honestly, this still kind of feels surreal, that the state that I live in actually targeted me and took two of the most beloved animals on this planet away, didn’t even quarantine them," he said. "They took them from my house and just killed them.”

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