Peanut the Squirrel Euthanized, Social Media Star's Owner Says: 'Sorry I Failed You'

"The DEC made the devastating decision to euthanize our beloved Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon," said Longo in a statement on Nov. 1

Beloved social media star Peanut the Squirrel is dead, his owner announced on Friday.

Two days after Peanut, whose name is also spelled P'Nut or PNUT, was seized by officers from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, his owner, Mark Longo, announced that the squirrel and Fred the raccoon were euthanized.

"It is with profound sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news: on October 30th, the DEC made the devastating decision to euthanize our beloved Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon," said Longo in a statement shared on Peanut's Instagram account on Friday, Nov. 1.

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Peanut's death was confirmed in a joint statement from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Chemung County Department of Health shared with PEOPLE.

"The Chemung County Department of Health and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are coordinating to ensure the protection of public health related to the illegal possession of wild animals that have the potential to carry the rabies virus," the statement read.

"On Oct. 30, DEC seized a raccoon and squirrel sharing a residence with humans, creating the potential for human exposure to rabies. In addition, a person involved with the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. To test for rabies, both animals were euthanized. The animals are being tested for rabies and anyone who has been in contact with these animals is strongly encouraged to consult their physician," the statement continued.

PEOPLE reached out to the Department of Environment Conservation for an update but did not immediately hear back.

Related: Woman Set to Adopt 2-Year-Old Dog from Shelter. One Hour Before Pickup, the Dog Was Mistakenly Euthanized

Longo expressed his "anguish" in his Instagram statement, stating that he is "in deep shock and grief" over the "troubling lack of respect and empathy" regarding the matter.

"Their lives were precious, and we refuse to accept this loss in silence," his statement continued.

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The update comes hours after Longo expressed that there was a "small chance" they could still get Peanut home. He asked his followers to continue supporting a Change.org petition and a GoFundMe campaign  made to help "cover legal fees for attorneys who will assist us in addressing the damage caused and ensuring Peanut's return to his loving home."

In a second post on Friday, a tearful Longo shared an Instagram video of himself holding a drawing of Peanut.

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"RIP MY BEST FRIEND. Thank you for the best 7 years of my life. Thank you for bringing so much joy to us and the world. I’m sorry I failed you but thank you for everything ❤️ Yall we desperately need your help. Help us raise the money to fight this and help @pnuts_freedom_farm continue to help animals like peanut," the caption read.