Peanut the Squirrel's euthanization has left the internet enraged, prompting a probe into the lead investigator, Joshua Crain's actions. According to the New York Post, the squirrel, a.k.a. P'Nut, was captured from his shared home with Mark Longo and Fred the raccoon in upstate New York.
During a raid on their home by six officials from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Peanut bit one of the agents on his hand, leading to the state testing both animals for rabies. They were consequently put down, and according to the outlet, likely decapitated. However, Longo claimed the officers wore heavy protective gloves.
The internet has since reacted with an outpouring of rage, grief, and condemnation against Joshua Crain. Many pointed out that the government's reactions were excessive, and that there was no need to take the animals' life. Here's how one user reacted:
"Horrific government overreach!"
Several concurred:
"Another "I was just doing my job" brought to you by overreaching / unreasoning Bureaucracy," one user asserted.
"How soon before he deletes all of his social media accounts and says that he was only following orders?" someone else questioned.
"Disgusting. Just say “NO” when some boss tells you to do something you know is wrong. Shameful," yet another claimed.
"Pretty stupid to make yourself a global pariah just to murder a pet squirrel then to lie about being bit to justify the "rabies" narrative when the guidelines for that is for feral and wild animals not ones which have been an indoor pet for 7 years," another user tweeted.
More and more weighed in:
"He needs to lose his job which he does in a very [bad] way! A little squirrel and raccoon??? YOU BIG MAN. Do you have a pet? Heartless and brainless probably doesn’t have a pet and thank God. The pet would have to take care of themselves. Dismantle New York’s Dept of Environmental Conservation - total contradiction of what they actually DID to P’Nut and Fred," someone tweeted.
"He should lose his job and pension and be given a restraining order to never live or work within 100 yards of a pet squirrel/raccoon again," another suggested.
"Such poor judgement. He may have convinced himself he was just following orders. Tragically, some of the most cruel actions throughout history, follow that premise," someone else opined.
"I pray he is fired! Sorry, but a pet squirrel that was saved is not the problems we have here in the USA," one user stated.
Several others online were calling for justice for Peanut and Fred, while others began uploading Joshua Crain's photos and condemning him for his involvement.
All we know about Peanut the Squirrel's death and Joshua Crain's involvement
As reported by the New York Post, a DEC spokesperson said on Friday:
"An internal investigation into the matter is ongoing, and we are reviewing internal policies and procedures to ensure we continue serving this core mission."
Per the outlet, Crain was simply following the search warrant orders "after receiving a sign-off from Chemung County Judge Richard W. Rich Jr. the day before." Notably, the Post has identified Joshua Crain as the leading investigator. The department has yet to officially do the same.
However, Gov. Hochul’s office, the DEC, the state Health Department, and the Chemung County Health Department have all declined to divulge any further details, including the results of the tests and Joshua Crain's status after allegedly sustaining the injury.
The CDC states that "in the U.S., the results of a rabies test are typically available within 24 to 72 hours after an animal is euthanized."
According to the New York Post, results of the samples sent to the state DOH’s Wadsworth Center for testing are typically available within a day's time.
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According to Times Now, Joshua Crain was 2022's Wildlife Officer of the Year in a conservation organization. Speaking about the same, DEC's Commissioner Basil Seggos is of the impression that Crain's "recognition is well-deserved, and DEC applauds his exceptional work upholding New York's fish and wildlife laws, serving Finger Lakes communities, and educating fellow law enforcement officers, hunters, and future conservationists.”
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