The death of a well-known internet squirrel is under investigation after the animal was removed from its residence and euthanized.
Peanut the Squirrel, who gained significant popularity online, was taken by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) after they were reportedly informed about his unauthorized living arrangement.
Roughly a dozen officers confiscated the animal from its abode, along with ‘Fred the raccoon’, leading to both animals being euthanized on October 30.
Peanut, whom his owner Mark Longo, 34, described as his ‘best friend’ and the ‘center of [his] world,’ allegedly bit an investigator during the confiscation at Longo’s 350-acre property in Elmira.
The DEC issued a statement saying, “In addition, a person involved with the investigation was bitten by the squirrel. To test for rabies, both animals were euthanized.
“The animals are being tested for rabies and anyone who has been in contact with these animals is strongly encouraged to consult their physician.”
An update has indicated that the DEC is now performing an ‘internal investigation’ into the events surrounding the seizure of Peanut and Fred.
The New York Post reports that DEC Investigator Joshua Crain obtained a search warrant for the animals due to the alleged illegal housing of a squirrel and raccoon.
Court documents reviewed by the publication suggest that the original warrant did not mention any rabies concerns.
It is understood that the initial inquiry into Longo began in January following reports of him illegally keeping a squirrel.
A DEC spokesperson told The New York Post, “An internal investigation into the matter is ongoing, and we are reviewing internal policies and procedures to ensure we continue serving this core mission.”
The publication notes that state and local health departments, including the DEC, the state Health Department, and the Chemung County Health Department, have not yet disclosed the results of any rabies testing or the condition of the reportedly injured official.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rabies tests typically take 24 to 72 hours to become available once a sample is received by a lab following an animal’s euthanasia.
The New York Post reports that the Wadsworth Center lab has not issued a report since June, with the publication indicating the Albany-based center has not commented on whether they have received any samples from Chemung County recently.
The Post has reportedly been advised by the DEC to submit a Freedom of Information Law (FOIA) request due to the withholding of critical information.
This law grants ‘the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency’ and is often referred to as a tool for keeping citizens informed about their government.
In a TikTok video, Longo expressed he was ‘angry, sad and disgusted’ over the deaths of Peanut and Fred.
“We fight and work every day to pay our state taxes and they turn around and they do this to a family,” he stated.
Longo now intends to take legal action against the DEC, telling The Post: “What happened in my house, if you think that was an educational [action] — I don’t know.”