On Oct. 30 both Peanut and Fred were confiscated by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, and later both animals were euthanized in order to be tested for rabies. Both animals tested negative for the disease.

A New York animal sanctuary owner is grieving the loss of his beloved squirrel, Peanut, after the animal was seized and euthanized by state authorities. Despite testing negative for rabies, Peanut was put down as part of protocol following an alleged bite incident during the seizure.