P’Nut, a social media-famous gray squirrel, and his raccoon companion Fred were forcibly removed from an Upstate New York home during an Oct. 30 raid by state agents. The incident, which resulted in the animals’ euthanization for rabies testing, has ignited widespread outrage and accusations of government overreach.
Rabies tests conducted after the seizure came back negative, according to Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss.
Timeline Reveals Euthanasia Decision Made Days in Advance
Newly released records show that state officials recommended euthanizing the animals a full week before their removal from their caretaker, Mark Longo. This decision was made despite the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) later claiming that P’Nut had bitten an agent during the raid, necessitating rabies testing.
“Wildlife cannot be confined like domestic animals, and if there was an exposure, the animals would need to be tested for rabies,” the State Department of Health wrote to the county on Oct. 23. Rabies testing involves decapitation to extract brain tissue for analysis, sealing the animals’ fates.
On Oct. 29, the DEC finalized plans for the raid, coordinating with Elmira Animal Control to euthanize the animals. This contradicts their earlier claim that P’Nut’s alleged bite triggered the decision to put him down.
Caretaker Shocked and Outraged
“I’m in utter shock,” Longo said upon learning the timeline. He had previously maintained that the animals were healthy and rabies-free. Longo has yet to receive official communication from authorities regarding the incident.
The DEC initiated the raid after receiving four complaints about Longo allegedly keeping wildlife without a license. The agency’s Oct. 22 message to Chemung County stated concerns about “an adult gray squirrel and at least four young raccoons” being kept illegally, prompting the health department to recommend rabies testing.
On Oct. 30, state agents raided Longo’s Pine City home, a rural animal rescue facility. Both animals were seized and euthanized that same day. Official records show P’Nut and Fred’s bodies were sent for rabies testing by the following morning, but the ultimate fate of their remains remains unclear.
Public Backlash Over Animal Seizure
P’Nut, who had been a pet in Longo’s household for over seven years, had a large social media following. His death has provoked significant backlash, with critics accusing authorities of heavy-handed actions. Longo described the seizure as being treated “like a terrorist.”
The Chemung County investigation into the matter is ongoing. County Executive Christopher Moss urged patience, stating, “I would ask the public to allow the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation the amount of time necessary to complete their investigation so that many of the public’s questions can be answered.”
The DEC has not responded to requests for comment. Critics argue that their silence speaks volumes, suggesting an unwillingness to address the public outcry or provide transparency about the decision-making process that led to the raid and euthanizations. “It feels like they’re refusing to talk because they know they mishandled this,” said one supporter of Longo, echoing the sentiments of many who view the DEC’s actions as unjustified and excessively harsh.
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