An Instagram famous pet squirrel has been euthanised in New York following anonymous complaints.
Peanut the squirrel was rescued by Mark Longo seven years ago after he saw its mother being hit by a car in New York City.
With more than 533,000 followers on Instagram, the unusual pet could be seen wearing a cowboy hat, nibbling on waffles, jumping through hoops and sitting on Mr Longo's shoulder.
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But after a number of anonymous complaints New York's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) seized Peanut - as well as a raccoon called Fred - from Mr Longo's home in Pine City on Wednesday.
Rabies risk
Both animals were euthanised, the DEC and Chemung County Department of Health confirmed on Friday.
"On October 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 euthanised," the agencies said in a statement, according to CBS News in New York.
Mr Longo, who runs an animal refuge inspired by his squirrel called P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, said: "The DEC came to my house and raided my house without a search warrant to find a squirrel!
"I was treated as if I was a drug dealer and they were going for drugs and guns."
It is against New York state law to own a wild animal such as a squirrel without a licence.
Mr Longo said he was aware of this and was filing paperwork to certify Peanut was an educational animal before the raid.
