The story of “Pino the Squirrel,” a popular pet squirrel on Instagram, seized and euthanized by New York authorities, has ignited a political debate, with Republicans calling it an example of “Democratic overreach.”
At a recent rally, Donald Trump Jr., son of the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, expressed outrage: “The government allows thousands of criminals to cross the border, but if someone owns a pet squirrel without a permit, they’ll go and kill it.” Trump Jr. criticized Democratic policies as imbalanced in addressing security and environmental issues.
Republican senator and vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance also commented humorously on the incident, sarcastically stating, “Former President Trump is thrilled by the squirrel’s death,” turning the situation into a pointed political narrative.
Why Was Pino the Squirrel Euthanized?
The Associated Press reported that New York authorities raided Mark Longo’s home near Pennsylvania after “multiple complaints” about Pino. They ordered the euthanasia of Pino and a raccoon named Fred after rabies tests indicated they might have bitten someone. Longo, however, denied that Pino ever bit anyone.
Elon Musk’s Response
Elon Musk, an open Trump supporter, joined the conversation, tweeting, “The government shouldn’t raid your home and kill your pet.” He suggested Pino could have been released into the wild rather than euthanized. Musk’s tweet received wide engagement, with some comparing voting for Trump to “voting for Pino’s cause.”
Longo has since launched a fundraiser to honor Pino and Fred, calling for “accountability from New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation” and advocating for a more compassionate approach to wildlife.
