New York’s controversial killings of Peanut the Squirrel and his pal Fred the Racoon have drawn a near apology for the incident that drew online anger at Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and criticism from Elon Musk.
“We have carefully reviewed all the public feedback and we understand the distress caused to communities throughout the state. We know that we can do better moving forward,” said Department of Environmental Conservation acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton.
In a statement issued late last week, Lefton sought to end the controversy that erupted in late October when the “rescued” animals were seized from their owner and euthanized to check for rabies when one of the state’s officers was bitten by the frightened squirrel.
Peanut has had an online following since Mark Longo saved him after the squirrel’s mom was killed in a car accident. He joined Fred for online videos and photos.
Mark Longo really loved Peanut the Squirrel. pic.twitter.com/If8ASefCEN
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) November 2, 2024
Peanut lived upstate with Longo for seven years, and eventually, 3 million followers viewed his videos and photos. The state moved in after it received complaints about Longo keeping the “wild” animals without permits. During the seizure, one agent was bitten, leading to the rabies test on both, which required their decapitations.
The results were negative.
The case drew a public outcry of government overreach. Musk said on a Joe Rogan podcast, “Here’s the thing about the whole squirrel thing. … How can it be that we live in America, supposedly the land of the free, and the government can barge into your home with guns? So if you resist, you’re gonna get shot. And then take your pets and execute them. If they can do that to your pets, what do you think they can do to you?”
In her statement, Lefton said, “At the direction of the governor, in my initial few weeks as acting commissioner, I have prioritized a review of our current wildlife protection and enforcement process to protect New Yorkers and this agency from similar incidents in the future.”
She added, “Our agency is committed to developing additional protocols to address illegally possessed wildlife and ensuring that our staff and environmental conservation officers have the necessary resources to carry them out. In addition, DEC will be welcoming a new deputy commissioner for public protection & emergency response.”
“We recognize that these improvements are necessary and in my new role I will ensure that DEC is focused on its mission to deliver clean air and water for every New Yorker while protecting the environment and our invaluable natural resources for future generations.”
SEE THE LATEST POLITICAL NEWS AND BUZZ FROM WASHINGTON SECRETS
The case is the subject of legal action, including a suit by Washington-based Judicial Watch, which is seeking written and video records of the seizure.
“The heartless killing of ‘Peanut the Squirrel’ by New York state bureaucrats shocked America,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said. “And now these same bureaucrats don’t want to turn over one document about Peanut’s death and their abusive raid on Peanut’s home. Judicial Watch’s lawsuit aims to get to the bottom of this abuse of government power,” he said.
