DEC encouraged staff to work from home Monday if they felt unsafe about threats the agency has received since the squirrel’s death. ALBANY — Employees at the state Department of Environmental Conservation were told they could work from home Monday and ...

Peanut the squirrel, a social media star seized from his Upstate New York home earlier this week, has been euthanized by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The DEC also took a raccoon named Fred from the home of Mark Longo, who lives in Pine City (near Elmira).

This story was updated to add a statement from the DEC. PINE CITY, N.Y. (WETM) — A popular pet squirrel from the Elmira area who inspired his owner to start an animal sanctuary was seized by the DEC on Wednesday morning.

Mark Longo, who called Peanut the Squirrel his pet for this past seven years, described the New York's decision to seize and euthanize the wild animal turned social media star a "disgrace." "What happened today and what transpired throughout this week has been nothing short of a tragedy and a disgrace to the New York state,

Two animals, Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon, were euthanized after being confiscated from a New York home by officials last week.

A New York State Assemblyman has introduced a new law after an internet-famous squirrel was euthanized in Upstate New York.