Lead investigator behind P’Nut squirrel’s death is identified as New York State investigates the critter’s death

The state is investigating how its agents botched the hours-long raid on an upstate New York home that led to the tragic death of Internet-famous squirrel P’Nut — as The Post identified the lead investigator behind the brawl.

The Department of Environmental Protection said it is conducting an “internal investigation” into the much-criticized seizure of P’Nut and Fred the raccoon from Mark Longo’s home in Pine City.

Both animals were euthanized and decapitated because the state claimed it tested them for rabies after P’Nut bit one of the pathogen’s hands during the raid. An unconvinced Longo said the officers wore heavy protective gloves.

“An internal investigation into the matter is ongoing and we are reviewing internal policies and procedures to ensure we continue to fulfill this core mission,” a DEC spokesperson told The Post on Friday.

But Gov. Hochul’s office, the DEC, the state health department and the Chemung County Health Department continued to refuse to release the results of tests on the animals or the status of the allegedly wounded officer – even though the viral disease poses a deadly threat to public health Risk.

According to the CDC, rabies test results are typically available within 24 to 72 hours after the animal is euthanized and the sample is received at the laboratory. Results for samples sent to the state health department’s Wadsworth Center are typically available the business day after they arrive.

The center, which was supposed to release monthly rabies reports, has not done so since June and has refused to answer whether it has received samples from Chemung County in recent weeks.

At the start of her term, Hochul promised to make transparency the “hallmark” of her administration. Her office did not respond to multiple inquiries from the Post.

“You claimed to have rabies. . . but you haven’t made any public comment on it?” Heartbroken, Longo, 34, told the Post about the state’s reluctance. “Is my life and what you have caused me not good enough as a taxpayer to respond to?”

A DEC spokesman instructed the Post to file a Freedom of Information Act request in response to multiple requests for the rabies test results, which it did, while a dispatcher referred a reporter to a hotline set up for P’Nut callers was used to leave messages.

“In hindsight, they realize this thing got out of control and they didn’t handle it well,” State Sen. Dan Stec (R-Warren) said of the state’s response.

“I cannot think of any legitimate or lawful reason to hide the rabies test results. It is a public health issue,” he added. “Where is the state secret here? Whose interest are they protecting?”

On Oct. 30, about 10 DEC agents descended on Longo’s 350-acre property, where he runs an animal shelter with his wife and also cares for Fred and P’Nut at their home. The couple rescued the squirrel seven years ago after its mother was killed by a car and kept it as a pet. Fred was rescued just a few months ago.

DEC Detective Joshua Crain executed the search warrant after receiving approval from Chemung County Judge Richard W. Rich Jr. the day before, court documents show.

The warrant mentioned Crain’s suspicion that the couple was unlawfully harboring a gray squirrel and a raccoon, but made no mention of rabies or other impending dangers.

Crain was named 2022 Wildlife Officer of the Year by a conservation group, with the DEC ironically praising a work philosophy that “promotes education first and enforcement when necessary.”

“What happened in my house, if you believe that was a reconnaissance [action] “I don’t know,” seethed Longo, who plans to sue the DEC.

Crain and Rich did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Chemung County Executive Chris Moss declined to comment.

P’Nut’s death has enraged critics across the country, who call the raid a stark example of government overreach and misplaced priorities.

The Donald Trump campaign’s official TikTok account said P’Nut was “unnecessarily murdered by Democratic bureaucrats in New York.” Longo, who believes P’Nut’s plight may have helped get Trump elected, hopes the president-elect will visit his sanctuary.

Outrage over the squirrel’s death has led to at least 14 bomb threats against DEC offices across the state, none of which have been found credible, according to state police spokesman Beau Duffy.

The Police Benevolent Association of New York State, the union that represents DEC law enforcement officers, called for calm Friday, noting that “misinformation” spread online had led to violent threats against the agency’s employees and a judge.

The DEC’s investigation into Longo dates back to January, when the agency first received complaints that Longo had illegally housed a squirrel, the union said. Officers gave him a warning and Longo claimed he released P’Nut.

The subsequent raid last week came after the agency received additional complaints, which led to a review of Longo’s social media posts, which revealed that he had lied and continued to harbor P’Nut while at the same time took in raccoons, the organization noted.

“We ask the public to take this into account [DEC officers] are their friends, family and neighbors and do not deserve to live in fear of compliance with the law,” the union said.

Additional reporting by Tina Moore