Peanut the squirrel, the Instagram-famous rodent whose killing by New York State environmental officers became a brief election flashpoint, did not have rabies after all, officials have said.

Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss confirmed that the rabies results for Peanut and Fred came back negative.

Peanut the Squirrel, a beloved pet who was an internet sensation before being euthanized by New York officials was earmarked to be killed a week before officials say it bit a person during a raid.