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

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

“It is with deep sadness that we share the heartbreaking news: On October 30th, the DEC made the devastating decision to euthanize our beloved Peanut squirrel and Fred the raccoon,” Longo said in a statement posted on Peanuts on Friday, November 13th Instagram account was published. 1.

Peanut’s death was confirmed in a joint statement from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the 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 public health protection related to the illegal possession of wildlife that has the potential to transmit the rabies virus,” it said it in the declaration.

“On October 30, the DEC seized a raccoon and a squirrel that shared a residence with humans, posing a risk of human exposure to rabies. Additionally, one person involved in the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. To test for rabies, both animals were examined.” “The animals are being tested for rabies and anyone who has come into contact with these animals is strongly advised to consult their doctor,” the statement continued.

PEOPLE reached out to the Department of Environmental Protection for an update but did not immediately receive a response.

Longo expressed his “dismay” in his Instagram statement, saying he was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the “disturbing lack of respect and empathy” surrounding this matter.

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

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The update comes hours after Longo expressed that there was a “slim chance” they could still bring Peanut home. He urged his followers to continue supporting a Change.org petition and a GoFundMe campaign to “cover legal fees for lawyers to help us repair the damage caused and ensure 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 us and the world so much joy. I’m sorry for letting you down, but thank you for everything ❤️ Alright, we urgently need your help. Help us raise the money to fight this and help @pnuts_freedom_farm continue to help animals like peanuts,” the caption reads.