P’Nut the Squirrel: A Controversial Case of Overreach

P’Nut, the Instagram-famous squirrel, has been the center of a heated controversy after being confiscated from his owners. The aftermath of his confiscation has sparked debates surrounding government overreach, especially in the lead-up to the election. Recently, officials announced that P’Nut tested negative for rabies, providing some closure to a distressing situation.

Located in Chemung County, in New York’s Southern Tier, the county officials held a news conference on Tuesday to share the results. P’Nut, a lively gray squirrel affectionately referred to as Peanut, was seized on October 30 from his home in Pine City following complaints about the unauthorized keeping of wildlife. Alongside him, a raccoon named Fred was also taken into custody.

During the apprehension, P’Nut bit a wildlife biologist through two pairs of gloves, prompting the need for rabies testing, which can only be conducted post-mortem. Unfortunately, both animals were euthanized on the same day they were seized, a decision that ignited outrage amongst their owners, Mark and Daniela Longo, who condemned the actions on social media, framing it as a blatant instance of state intrusion.

The case of P’Nut quickly garnered attention, turning the squirrel into a symbol for some right-wing groups. Prominent figures, including Elon Musk, shared content about P’Nut on social media, using him as a source of memes, while politician JD Vance even offered a benediction for the squirrel during a stump speech in North Carolina.

At the news conference, Chemung County Executive Chris Moss presented certificates confirming that both animals tested negative for rabies. He defended the decision to euthanize them, providing a detailed timeline of events leading up to the decision. According to Mr. Moss, discussions regarding the necessity of testing— which would require euthanasia— had begun as early as October 22, more than a week prior to the raid on the Longos’ residence.

In an effort to quell the rising tide of violent threats directed at employees from various agencies involved, including the State Department of Environmental Conservation and county health and animal control agencies, Mr. Moss emphasized the gravity of the situation. He stated, “I realize people want to vent. But at the end of the day, I think you have to realize the seriousness of humans contracting rabies.”