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,

There were complaints that wildlife was being kept illegally and potentially unsafely, but officials have faced a barrage of criticism for the seizure.

Peanut the squirrel, the Instagram-famous rodent whose killing by New York State environmental officers became a brief election flashpoint, did not have rabies after all, officials have said.

Mark Longo, owner of Peanut the Squirrel, shares his frustrations with New York government agencies for seizing and euthanizing his pet.

Peanut the pet squirrel, who was a social media star before being seized by authorities in upstate New York, tested negative for rabies after being euthanized, a county official said Tuesday.

Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss confirmed that the rabies results for Peanut and Fred came back negative.

Peanut, a social media star pet squirrel seized and euthanized by authorities in New York, has tested negative for rabies.