Peanut the Squirrel, a beloved pet who became an internet sensation before being seized and then killed by New York state officials, was found to be free of rabies after being euthanized for testing, according to a report, the latest twist in the ongoing saga of the much-loved creature.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) seized Peanut and a raccoon named Fred from owner Mark Longo’s home and animal sanctuary in rural Pine City, near border with Pennsylvanialate last month during a raid, saying it had received complaints that wildlife was being kept illegally. Longo, who adopted Peanut seven years ago, said she is working to become certified as an educational animal.

Officials said a DEC worker involved in the investigation was bitten by the squirrel — prompting the agency to euthanize it to investigate. for rabies. Longo denied the worker had been bitten and insisted the animals were not rabid. Rabies is a viral disease of mammals usually transmitted by the bite of an infected animal.

PEANUT THE SQUIRREL REACHES SOCIAL MEDIA FIRESTORM AFTER NEW YORK OFFICIALS EUTHANIZATE BELOVED RODENT

Peanut or P’Nut the squirrel has 532,000 followers on Instagram. (peanut_the_squirrel12 via Instagram)

Chemung County Executive Chris Moss said the two animals tested negative during a news conference detailing the county’s role in the incident. He said the county worked with the state and followed protocols.

The New York Post reports that the state Department of Health wrote to the county on Oct. 23 stressing that “wildlife cannot be confined like domestic animals, and if there is an exposure, the animals should be tested for rabies.”

The message all but sealed the animals’ fate before the raid, as rabies testing requires euthanasia by decapitation to open the subjects’ heads and sample their brains.

Days later, on Oct. 29, DEC coordinated the animals’ euthanasia with Elmira Animal Control, according to the New York Post report, contradicting the agency’s earlier explanation that P’Nut had caused his own euthanasia by biting himself.

Longo said Tuesday that the negative test results were not surprising and criticized the government’s actions.

“It’s not a big shocker to me considering I’ve lived with Peanut for seven and a half years and Fred for five months. I’m not foaming at the mouth,” he said. “I knew the test results would be negative.”

He told the Post he was in “total shock” when presented with the latest timeline of events.

Fox News Digital reached out to the New York City Health Department and DEC about the timeline.

PEANUT THE PET SQUIRREL TAKEN BY NEW YORK STATE OFFICIALS FROM FOSTER HOME, MAY BE EUTHANISED

Elon Musk has posted several times about the squirrel. The squirrel and his master (Photo/Evan Vucci, left, provided by AP, right)

Longo and his wife started the animal sanctuary last year, called “P’Nut’s Freedom Farm,” inspired by the squirrel. Longo told his followers that he got the rodent after he saw the squirrel’s mother get hit by a car. The squirrel refused to return to the wild and attached itself to the couple.

A Instagram page dedicated to the squirrel had reached over 550,000 followers, and the couple uploaded their playful interactions with the rodent and other animals they care for. The page now has over 910,000 followers.

But things took a bitter turn on Oct. 30 when officials descended on their sanctuary home, the extent of which shocked Longo.

Longo said authorities went through “every closet, nook and cranny” of his home during the searches.

“They got a search warrant. Four departments and a judge signed a search warrant for a squirrel and a raccoon. And then they took them and killed them,” said a visibly upset Longo.

The shocking death of the animals sparked a reaction online and the story quickly went viral.

“President Trump will save the squirrels,” Elon Musk wrote with a squirrel and a crying emoji. “RIP P’Nut.” The text was accompanied by an image of the rodent on the back of a smiling Longo.

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Peanut the squirrel enjoys some peanuts in this photo shared on Instagram. (peanut_the_squirrel12 via Instagram)

Announcing the rodent’s death and holding a framed drawing of the squirrel, a tearful Longo told followers on a Instagram video that “Peanuts was the best thing that ever happened to us.”

“RIP MY BEST FRIEND. Thanks for the best seven years of my life,” he wrote in the caption. “Thank you for bringing so much joy to us and the world. I’m sorry I failed you, but thank you for everything.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.