The state Department of Environmental Conservation seized and euthanized Peanut, an Instagram-famous squirrel as part of a raid last week in Chemung County. DEC encouraged staff to work from home Monday if they felt unsafe about threats the agency has ...

The controversy over Peanut, the pet squirrel and social media sensation seized by the state Department of Environmental Conservation and euthanized last week, has raised questions about who can and should handle wildlife in New York.

The threats were made in response to the death of Peanut, or P'Nut, a squirrel seized by the DEC from Mark and Daniela Longo's home in the hamlet of Pine City, Chemung County, last week. The wildlife officials went to the property, which the couple run as ...