The euthanasia of Peanut, an Instagram-famous pet squirrel, by New York wildlife officials has sparked controversy and become a talking point in the lead-up to the U.S. presidential election.

JD Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate, criticized the government’s actions during a rally, arguing that the incident highlights misplaced priorities, especially in light of issues like illegal immigration.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) had seized Peanut due to reports of unsafe housing and euthanized the squirrel after it bit an official.

Peanut’s owner, Mark Longo, plans to take legal action and has raised over $140,000 through a GoFundMe campaign, the BBC has reported.

The incident has garnered attention from several conservatives, who view Peanut as a victim of government overreach, with some lawmakers criticizing New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s priorities.

Written by B.C. Begley