New York authorities euthanize social media star Peanut the squirrel

Fred the raccoon was also killed by officials, who said the animals were a risk factor in the spread of rabies

An orphaned squirrel that became a social media star called Peanut was euthanized after New York authorities seized the beloved pet during a raid on his caretaker's home, authorities said.

After anonymous complaints, officers from the state's department of environmental conservation (DEC) took the squirrel and a raccoon named Fred from Mark Longo's home near the Pennsylvania border in rural Pine City on Wednesday, Longo said.