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Investigators are currently looking into the circumstances surrounding the death of an internet-famous squirrel after the animal was taken from its home and euthanized.
Peanut the Squirrel, who amassed a huge following online over the last few years, was seized by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) after officials were reportedly notified of his illegal living situation.
Approximately ten officers took the animal from its home, alongside ‘Fred the raccoon’, before euthanizing both on October 30.
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Peanut - who was described by his owner Mark Longo, 34, as his ‘best friend’ and ‘center of [his] world - was claimed to have bitten an investigator while being confiscated from Longo’s 350-acre home in Elmira.
A statement from the DEC read: “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."
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A new update has revealed that the DEC is now conducting an ‘internal investigation’ into the seizure of Peanut and Fred.
The New York Post also reports that DEC Investigator Joshua Crain obtained a search warrant for the animals citing the potential illegal housing of a squirrel and raccoon.
Court records seen by the publication claim that the original warrant made no mention of rabies concerns.
It’s also understood the initial investigation into Longo began in January after it was reported he was illegally housing a squirrel.
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“An internal investigation into the matter is ongoing, and we are reviewing internal policies and procedures to ensure we continue serving this core mission.” a spokesperson from the DEC recently told The New York Post.
The publication reports that State and local health departments, including the DEC, the state Health Department and the Chemung County Health Department, have yet to share the results of any rabies testing, as well as the status of the allegedly injured official.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rabies tests are usually available within 24 to 72 hours after an animal is euthanized and a lab receives a sample.
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The New York Post claims that the Wadsworth Center lab has not released a report since June, with the publication reporting that the Albany-based institution has yet to comment on whether it received any specimens from Chemung County in recent weeks.
Due to the refusal to release crucial information, The Post has allegedly been advised by the DEC to file a Freedom of Information Law (FOIA) request.
This legislation provides ‘the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency’ and is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the loop about their government.
During a TikTok video, Longo claimed he was ‘angry, sad and disgusted’ amid the deaths of Peanut and Fred.
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“We fight and work every day to pay our state taxes and they turn around and they do this to a family,” he added.
The animal owner now plans to sue the DEC, telling The Post: “What happened in my house, if you think that was an educational [action] — I don’t know.”
UNILAD has contacted the DEC, Wadworth Center Lab and Chemung County Health Department for further comment.
Ella Scott