Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Saturday reacted after the information of ‘Peanut’ the squirrel’s demise broke the web. Netizens expressed outrage when New York State officers euthanized Peanut, a well known squirrel on the web, after forcefully seizing him from a New York man’s home.
Peanut garnered a social media following of greater than half 1,000,000 individuals, because of his cowboy hat and waffle-loving habits.
Peanut’s proprietor, Mark Longo, was appalled by the federal government’s motion. The Division of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers raided Longo’s home and took away his two pets — Peanut and Fred the raccoon.
Longo, who established a sanctuary in 2023 as a protected haven for rescued animals, expressed shock and disappointment, calling each creatures beloved members of the neighborhood.
Taking to social media, Longo said: “It’s with profound sorrow that we announce the heartbreaking information: on Oct. 30, the DEC made the devastating determination to euthanize our beloved Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon.” He lambasted the DEC for not notifying him earlier than the media, denouncing it as a “troubling lack of respect and empathy.”
Additionally Learn: Who was Peanut? Enormous row erupts in US as social media star squirrel euthanised; MAGA converts tragedy into election ploy
Elon Musk says Trump will save the squirrels
A number of followers expressed related sentiments, posting condolence and love messages.
Because the information has sparked ire on social media, Musk, the proprietor of X and Trump supporter, wrote: “The federal government ought to go away individuals and their animals alone.”
In one other submit, Tesla CEO prolonged condolences to Longo over the loss of life of Peanut. “President @realDonaldTrump will save the squirrels 🐿️ 😢 RIP P’Nut.”
Additionally Learn: Who’s Liz Cheney? Trump fantasises her being shot throughout chat with Tucker Carlson
His response got here as a number of Trump supporters posted an image of squirrel sporting a Trump hat as a tribute to Peanut. In the meantime, Squirrels for Trump additionally began trending on X.
Reacting to Musk’s submit, Andrew Tate wrote: “That is peak authorities. Busting down your door since you dont have a squirrel licence and murdering your pet. Who positive factors? Who advantages? Who did the police “save”?”
“Solely loss of life and disappointment and wasted cash,” he added.
“First they have been consuming the cats, now they’re executing the squirrels. Horrible instances,” commented, Collin Rugg, the co-owner of Trending Politics.
This is what DEC has stated
In keeping with the DEC, it launched an inquiry after studying about “probably unsafe housing of wildlife that might carry rabies and the unlawful retaining of wildlife as pets.”
Longo was working with authorities and offering all of the paperwork to certify Peanut as an academic animal underneath state rules.
Longo promised to hold on together with his goal despite the tragedy, and he has introduced plans to arrange a fundraiser in Peanut’s honor. “I’ll by no means hand over on this nonprofit or those that fell in love with Peanut,” he said.
