Peanut the squirrel, a pet that became a social media star, has been euthanized after New York state authorities seized it during a raid.

Social media star Peanut the squirrel has been killed after authorities seized him and a raccoon called Fred in a raid on their caretaker’s home. Mark Longo said he took Peanut into his Pine City home after seeing his mother get hit by a car in New York City 10 years ago.

Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon were confiscated and euthanized that week, here’s how the incident became political.