Anchor’s face drops in disbelief as he gives update about Peanut the squirrel

News anchors at a flagship news station in New York were seen reacting unfavorably to the Peanut the squirrel saga.

Gus Rosendale and Pat Battle, both co-anchors of NBC4 New York’s “Weekend Today in New York” appeared to express disdain for state officials’ decision to euthanize the pet.

Rosendale also appeared to make a snide comment about Albany’s warped priorities ahead of election week, snapping, “Okay, that’s what Albany is focused on,” as he let out an incredulous grin and dropped his face.

It aired Saturday, days after the animal was taken from its owner’s Upstate home. The story has since caught the attention of many due to Peanut’s popularity online. Owner Mark Longo saved him after his mother was hit by a car.

During the raid on Wednesday, Peanut bit a researcher, an act authorities used to justify euthanizing him to “test for rabies.”

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It aired Saturday, days after the animal was removed from the Upstate home of its owner Mark Longo. Longo took in the animal after its mother was hit by a car and documented their exploits on social media

The decision replaced a less lengthy quarantine, where officials would only observe the animal for signs of rabies. Instead, they killed not only him, but also Longo’s raccoon, causing a reaction especially from Rosendale.

“You may have heard that this little guy is making headlines this week,” Rosendale began by saying – before revealing how he and Battle had received on-air confirmation from the state government that the pet had been put down.

“Authorities seized Peanut from a home in Pine City, New York, a small town south of Elmira. Apparently there had been several complaints,” Rosendale continued.

“Peanut’s owner says the squirrel’s mother was hit by a car and he has been caring for the animal ever since.

The owner runs an animal shelter and says he knows it is illegal to own a wild animal without a permit, and that he was working to get Peanut certified as an ‘educational animal.’

“A raccoon attack during the same attack was also put down,” he continued, both he and Battle visibly somber.

“The Environment Department of Conservation said this was all done to ‘test for rabies.’

At that point, the anchor who has been manning his network’s news desks for more than a decade had no choice but to go off script.

“Okay, that’s what Albany is focused on,” he said.

Gus Rosendale and Pat Battle, both co-hosts of NBC 4 New York’s “Weekend Today in New York,” appeared to express disdain at state officials’ decision to euthanize the pet — portraying it as perhaps premature

During the raid on Wednesday, Peanut bit a researcher, an act authorities used to justify euthanizing the fatal rabies test. Instead, they killed him, sparking nationwide outrage

The segment ended there, but the outrage surrounding the internet-famous squirrel — centered around the New York State government — continues to swirl.

“What kind of people do these agencies employ?” an observer wrote Saturday about the at least six Department of Environmental Conservation officers responsible for the squirrel’s death.

“Who has it in them to kill a pet bloody squirrel?”

This prompted a response from none other than Elon Musk, who had a rather blunt assessment of the recent series of events.

“The government is a mindless and heartless killing machine,” he said – as a series of memes followed.

Even Musk got in on the act, sharing an AI-generated image of a squirrel holding a Star Wars lightsaber and an accompanying Peanut-related wordplay.

“President Trump will save the squirrels,” Musk wrote in another tweet that was both a tribute and a resounding statement of support. ‘RIP P’Nut.’

In another creation that poked fun at the Keanu Reeves-led John Wick, an AI-generated image circulation on killed his dog.

Even Musk got in on the action, sharing an AI-generated image of a squirrel holding a Star Wars lightsaber and an accompanying Peanut-related wordplay

“The government is a mindless and heartless killing machine,” he said in response to an angry influencer – as a series of memes followed

In another creation that poked fun at the Keanu Reeves-led John Wick, an AI-generated image circulation on killed his dog.

Others called for someone to take revenge on behalf of the squirrel, who had more than half a million followers – and had touched the hearts of many more – on social media.

Others called for someone to take revenge on behalf of the squirrel, who had more than half a million followers – and had touched the hearts of many more – on social media. Longo posted a message on Sunday to further remember his old breakfast partner, who had a penchant for waffles.

“Breakfast will never be the same without you,” he wrote, after releasing a statement earlier this weeks describing how he was “heartbroken”

An accompanying caption read: “The internet after hearing what they did to Peanut the Squirrel.”

Others called for someone to take revenge on behalf of the squirrel, who had more than half a million followers – and had touched the hearts of many more – on social media.

At the center of the outrage was the state Department of Environmental Conservation saying it took the animals last Wednesday after receiving complaints, with the state requiring people to obtain a permit if they want to own a wild animal .

As Rosendale said, Longo has said he worked to achieve Peanut certification, but the animal’s life was snuffed out before he had the chance. Tests for rabies in animals are always fatal.

Longo posted a message on Sunday to further remember his old breakfast partner, who had a penchant for waffles.

“Breakfast will never be the same without you,” he wrote, after releasing a statement earlier in the weeks describing how heartbroken he was.

“I love you mouse,” he added, as the heartbreak continued.