Peanut Squirrel’s killing under internal investigation by New York State

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation has launched an internal investigation after the agency seized a squirrel named Peanut, which was later euthanized, sparking national outrage.

“DEC is committed to protecting the safety and welfare of wildlife throughout New York,” a statement said obtained by local news station WETM 18 News. “An internal investigation into the matter is ongoing and we are reviewing internal policies and procedures to ensure we continue to carry out this core mission.”

Peanut became a social media star after being orphaned seven years ago and kept as an indoor pet by Mark Longo in rural Pine City, New York. Longo, who posted pictures and videos showing the squirrel jumping and climbing on him, eating toaster waffles and wearing hats did not have the legal license to keep wild animals. He told CBS News that he and his wife were “in the process” of getting the proper paperwork.

In late October, conservation officers raided Longo’s home and seized Peanut, along with a raccoon named Fred. A spokesman told the AP that the agency had received “several reports from the public” that Longo is illegally keeping wildlife as pets.

Days later, NYDEC and the Chemung County Department of Health released a statement saying both animals had been “put down” to be tested for rabies after Peanut bit an officer. (Animals cannot be tested for rabies without being killed because their brain tissue must be examined.)

Squirrels “almost never” get rabies, according to the New York State Department of Health. But raccoons are more likely to carry the deadly disease, and officials feared the possibility that Fred could have had rabies and passed it on to Peanut, said a statement from the Police Benevolent Association, the union that represents New York’s probation officers.

the declaration, obtained by CBS 6 Albanyalso said the decision to euthanize Peanut and Fred was made by the county health department, not the state environmental agency.

NYDEC and the Chemung County Health Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment from HuffPost, and rabies test results have not been released.

Although Peanut had fans (and mourners) across the political spectrum, his death became a major cause for conservatives, who characterized the incident as an example of government overreach. The Sunday before the presidential election, GOP nominee Donald Trump’s campaign promised on TikTok to “revenge” the squirrel “at the ballot box.”

Outrage over Peanut and Fred also sparked at least 10 bomb threats against state environmental facilities, a a spokesman told The New York Times.

Longo, who last year established an animal sanctuary named after the squirrel, appears to have steered clear of explicitly partisan commentary. But he has condemned the state for its misplaced priorities.

“We have the resources to kill a raccoon and a squirrel, but we can’t fix the big bridges down the street?” he said on NewsNation last week. “I’m shaken.”