A man who took in an orphaned squirrel and made it a social media star vowed Saturday that New York state’s decision to seize and euthanize the animal “won’t go unheard.”

The owners of Peanut the Squirrel have spoken out after the pet was seized and euthanized by authorities. Mark and Daniela Longo suspect someone jealous of their success may have called the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to have the animal removed from their sanctuary.

Wildlife rehabilitators can legally care for injured or sick squirrels, but the animals can't be pets in many states.

Peanut the Squirrel's owner, Mark Longo, shares a tearful message on Instagram, after his pet squirrel and raccoon were euthanized by authorities. The internet-famous wildlife animals were confiscated by Department of Environmental Conservation officials,

The plight of an Instagram-famous pet squirrel that was euthanised by New York wildlife officials has become a campaign talking point two days before the US presidential election. Donald Trump's running mate,

Mark Longo, who called Peanut the Squirrel his pet for this past seven years, described the New York's decision to seize and euthanize the wild animal turned social media star 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,

P’nut, an Instagram-famous squirrel that was seized and euthanized by New York state, has entered the political fray, with Republicans saying its killing is representative of “Democratic overreach.” “Our government will let in 16,