Peanut the squirrel’s heartbreaking story has tugged on the heartstrings of 1000’s nationwide after the rodent was seized and euthanized by authorities final week — however a notable NYC Assemblywoman tells us regardless of it being a tragic state of affairs, human lives should be prioritized.
Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the Majority Whip within the New York State Meeting, tells TMZ that whereas she’s an ardent animal-rights advocate and sympathizes with Peanut’s proprietor, Mark Longo … she believes euthanizing Peanut was the one possibility, because the N.Y. State Dept. of Environmental Conservation’s investigation revealed the squirrel bit somebody.
TMZ.com
Hermelyn explains to us DEC had no alternative however to put down Peanut so they may check the rodent for rabies, which is lethal for 99% of people who catch it. She additionally notes it is well-known there aren’t any authorized strategies to check animals for rabies whereas they’re nonetheless alive.
She believes the DEC was simply doing its job, noting New York state legislation requires a license for proudly owning a wild animal … so personnel have been simply sticking to the principles and following up on complaints about Peanut not being legally registered.
Hermelyn emphasizes she’s delicate about the entire state of affairs and hopes Peanut can relaxation in peace. She even credit Longo for his efforts to legally run an animal refuge, which she describes as “extremely admirable.”
As we reported, authorities euthanized Peanut regardless that there was proof he didn’t have rabies — he had bitten Mark just a few occasions, however he by no means confirmed any signs.
Peanut had 532,000 followers on Instagram, and Longo says nameless complaints concerning the squirrel led state businesses to get a search warrant to tear the animal from his house and kill it. Fred the raccoon was additionally seized from Longo’s animal-sanctuary farm in the identical raid and euthanized.
New York Congressman Nick Langworthy tells us he and different members of the state’s congressional delegation plan to demand solutions from the governor’s workplace and the Dept. of Environmental Conservation.
Longo and his spouse, Daniela, inform us they’re already within the strategy of authorized motion. ML tells us … “Peanut didn’t die in useless!”