A pet squirrel who was a social media star before being seized by authorities in upstate New York has tested negative for rabies. Peanut the squirrel landed at the center of national furor after it was seized from its owner and euthanized.

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.

Social media users are mourning the loss of the beloved social media star Peanut the Squirrel after he was euthanized on Friday. Peanut, or PNUT, was a rescue squirrel who lived with his owner content creator Mark Longo for seven years.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation says it is investigating the seizure of Peanut the squirrel, who was later euthanized, from an upstate home.

The identity of the lead investigator behind the controversial raid that led to the death of Peanut, an internet-famous squirrel, has been revealed.Amid intense backlash over the handling of the case,

Wildlife rehabilitators can legally care for injured or sick squirrels, but the animals can't be pets in many states.

The controversy over Peanut, the pet squirrel and social media sensation seized by the state Department of Environmental Conservation and euthanized last week, has raised questions about who can and should handle wildlife in New York.

A pet squirrel who was a social media star before being seized by authorities in upstate New York has tested negative for rabies