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,

Peanut the squirrel, a pet that became a social media star, has been euthanized after New York state authorities seized it during a raid.

Peanut, who has amassed more than half a million Instagram followers, was euthanized by officials to be tested for rabies.

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

A man who took in an orphaned squirrel and made it a social media star says New York state’s decision to seize and euthanize the animal won't go without a response.

Peanut the Squirrel was taken from his Elmira, NY, home Wednesday by officials from the Department of Environmental Conservation, who served a warrant to Peanut’s guardians after receiving complaints of “unlawfully possessed” animals, according to the post.

Peanut the Squirrel, also known as PNUT, boasts 534,000 followers on Instagram. He enjoys eating waffles, doing tricks and greeting his owner.

Mark Longo of P'Nut's Freedom Farm in New York, an animal rescue, updates the public on the seizure of Peanut by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. Credit: @peanut_the_squirrel12 o

The euthanisation of Peanut the Squirrel has triggered a national outrage, with the story hitting a New York State Assemblyman the hardest. Jake Blumencranz, repping Assembly District 15 on Long Island,

It has not been announced that the bomb threats correlate with the seizure and euthanasia of Peanut the Squirrel.

Image via Instagram Peanut The Squirrel may be gone, but its owner isn't prepared to give up the fight. Mark Longo is planning to sue after the Department of Environmental Conservation took the squirrel away and euthanized it.