Neuty the nutria, viral pet rodent whose family fought a state to keep him, dies of cancer

Condolences poured in for the Louisiana beaver-like legend who once appeared on Tucker Carlson’s Fox News show

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Condolences have poured in for a Louisiana couple who successfully battled wildlife authorities to keep their domesticated nutria as a pet, watched the semi-aquatic rodent appear on cable news and accumulate a social media following tens of thousands strong, and then endured the animal’s recent death from cancer.

Denny and Myra Lacoste announced Neuty’s death on Monday on Instagram, where more than 37,000 users followed an account dedicated to documenting the nutria’s life.