Source: Seacoast Online
A controversial case in New York, where authorities euthanized an Instagram-famous squirrel named Peanut and a raccoon named Fred, has sparked a legislative proposal in New Hampshire. Rep. James Spillane introduced a bill allowing rehabilitated raccoons and gray squirrels to be kept as pets if they are deemed unfit for the wild and vaccinated. The bill would prevent authorities from confiscating or euthanizing such animals without the owner’s permission. However, it would prohibit purchasing, breeding, or capturing them from the wild.
Opponents, including the Humane Society and New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, argue that keeping wildlife as pets is unsafe and inhumane due to unpredictable behavior and disease risks. In addition, there are no approved vaccines for these animals. The bill’s fate remains uncertain, following a past rejection of a similar proposal for alternative pets. Currently, only a few states, like Florida, allow pet squirrels without a permit.