Squirrel Supporting Trump Also Launches a Coin Memecoin PNUT the Controversial Birth of US Animal Rights Surges Over 600
In the state of New York, the seven-year companionship between a beloved squirrel named Peanut and its owner Mark Longo came to an abrupt end. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) conducted a surprise search on Longo’s farm last Wednesday and took Peanut along with a recovering raccoon. Recently, the DEC issued an updated statement stating that both animals were euthanized for rabies testing.
This incident has sparked a frenzy of discussion on social media in the United States. Some individuals even created a meme coin called PNUT in honor of Peanut, which quickly gained listings on major exchanges such as Binance and OKX. Since November 4th, PNUT has surged by over 600%.
DEC’s Latest Statement: Humane Disposal for Rabies Testing
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation released a statement, saying, “On October 30th, DEC discovered a squirrel and a raccoon in a residence shared with humans. These animals may have been carrying the rabies virus and posed a risk of human exposure. Furthermore, during the investigation, a staff member was bitten by the squirrel. Both animals have been euthanized to determine if they had rabies.” The DEC emphasized that anyone who had come into contact with these animals should consult a doctor to ensure their safety.
According to New York State law, it is strictly prohibited to keep wild animals, especially species that may carry rabies, as pets.
Animal Advocates Petition for Peanut: Seeking Justice and Explanation
DEC’s latest decision has drawn attention and outrage from animal lovers worldwide. Since the incident, animal advocates have been continuously petitioning for Peanut’s release. A petition has even garnered nearly 20,000 signatures in a short period of time. Longo also mentioned that many celebrities and supporters have expressed concern for Peanut’s fate and questioned the DEC’s decision.
“This not only caused me to lose a family member, Peanut, but also disrupted the operation of P’Nuts Freedom Farm and Animal Sanctuary, which relies on social media for funding. This sanctuary has saved over 300 animals, and without Peanut, I’m not sure if we can continue to receive donation support,” Longo expressed his deep disappointment with how the DEC handled the situation.
Musk and Trump’s Son Show Support for Peanut, Meme Coin PNUT Emerges
The controversy surrounding Peanut stirred up a lot of noise even before Trump’s election, with Elon Musk voicing his support and Trump’s son using the incident to advocate for “ousting the Democratic government.” Some even believe that Peanut helped Trump win the election. After Peanut was euthanized, a meme coin themed after Peanut was created.
A website wrote, “Dear squirrel Peanut was taken away and extinguished by NYSDEC. This rescued seven-year-old squirrel represents the P’Nut Family Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, an organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating injured and abandoned animals. He may no longer be physically present, but he lives on forever. Forever Peanut.”
The meme coin was launched on Solana and quickly gained attention. This topic, belonging to the American community, soon caught the attention of cryptocurrency exchanges. Many medium-sized exchanges began trading, and major exchanges like Binance and OKX opened trading pairs within a week. After listing, the coin experienced a rapid surge but soon faced a correction once it gained higher liquidity.
