New York Lawmakers Criticized for Pushing Law to Give Animals 'Due Process' Before Euthanasia: 'Squirrels Get More Rights Than Immigrants'

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.

"In America, animals get due process and migrants don't," another added.

"F--king rodents got more rights in a year than black people did in 200+ years," an X user wrote.

"they doing rights for some ugly ass squirrel before actual important things like lgbtqia+ rights and poc rights," @hollyjollybloke shared.

"White conservatives will give animals more rights than actual minorities what the hell," @Banzaiconvoy added.