New York lawmakers faced criticism after introducing a bill requiring animals to receive "due process" before euthanasia, a move some social media users argued gives critters more rights than humans.
"Peanut's Law," named after Peanut the Squirrel, would require a 72-hour waiting period before any animals are euthanized by the state, Dexerto reported.
The bill was created by Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz in memory of Peanut the Squirrel, a pet squirrel that became a viral internet sensation after he was rescued by Mark and Daniela Longo in 2017.
Peanut met an unfortunate demise, however, when he was seized by New York authorities during a raid in November 2024. The animal bit a New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) official, requiring him to be tested for rabies. In order to do so, Peanut was beheaded, and a subsequent test proved Peanut was rabies-free.
The Longos have been pursuing justice for their beloved squirrel ever since and got it on Tuesday.
Internet users were less than enthused at the news, highlighting the disparity between animal rights and human rights, which are being threatened by the current administration.
"So squirrels get more rights than immigrants in America," X user @thesefstv wrote.
So squirrels get more rights than immigrants in America https://t.co/YkQsvgwNGs
— The Serfs (youtube.com/theserftimes) (@theserfstv) April 11, 2025
"In America, animals get due process and migrants don't," another added.
In America, animals get due process and migrants don't https://t.co/mJ351aeuhI pic.twitter.com/hBrVKPVofH
— BiscuitRaider (@BiscuitRaider) April 11, 2025
"F--king rodents got more rights in a year than black people did in 200+ years," an X user wrote.
Fucking rodents got more rights in a year than black people did in 200+ years https://t.co/WzvVUbadty pic.twitter.com/MgpQpUDeQP
— Veecel (@eeveenigga) April 11, 2025
"they doing rights for some ugly ass squirrel before actual important things like lgbtqia+ rights and poc rights," @hollyjollybloke shared.
they doing rights for some ugly ass squirrel before actual important things like lgbtqia+ rights and poc rights https://t.co/vDYX6rtZUL pic.twitter.com/kEwRJKgI4A
— professional scc player (@hollyjollybloke) April 11, 2025
"White conservatives will give animals more rights than actual minorities what the hell," @Banzaiconvoy added.
White conservatives will give animals more rights than actual minorities what the hell https://t.co/bqa2q1T8KU
— Jarid جاريد (@Banzaiconvoy) April 11, 2025
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