New York authorities receive bomb threats following the death of Peanut the Squirrel

by Junna Base November 5, 2024

This story has been updated to include the locations of the bomb threat, as well as newly obtained information from the New York State Police on the number of bomb threats reported by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

In the days following New York’s decision to euthanize Peanut the squirrel, fans, lawmakers and people who just learned about the social media star are increasingly upset. In the past 48 hours, the government agency that seized and killed Peanut has received at least 10 bomb threats, and a New York representative is proposing a new law to protect animals from sanctuaries.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Chemung County Department of Health, Peanut the squirrel, who now has more than 784,000 Instagram followers, was euthanized on Friday, November 1, to be tested for rabies.

The New York Department of Environmental Protection seized Peanut from his home in Pine City, New York on Wednesday, October 30th. The seizure came due to “multiple reports from the public regarding the potentially unsafe housing of wildlife that could transmit rabies and is illegal.” Keeping wild animals as pets,” the department said in a statement. A raccoon named Fred was also confiscated from Longo’s home and euthanized.

10+ bomb threats in 48 hours

Although a connection to Peanut’s euthanasia has not yet been determined, more than 10 bomb threats have been reported to various New York City Department of Environmental Protection offices in the past 48 hours, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office told USA TODAY Tuesday morning.

“Governor Hochul strongly condemns these egregious threats of violence and is grateful to the New York State Police for their work in investigating these threats and assisting state officials,” her office said in a statement.

On Tuesday evening, New York State Police confirmed that the New York Department of Environmental Conservation reported 12 bomb threats. Beau Duffy, executive director of public information, confirmed those offices are located in Allegany, Bath, Buffalo, Cortlandville, Elmira, New Platz, New York City, Sherbourne, Stamford, Stony Brook, Syracuse and Tarrytown.

Duffy said any threats were “not credible” and the investigation was ongoing.

Of two threats reported as of Tuesday morning, the first was sent to the department’s office in Bath, New York, on November 3, and the second was sent to the department’s office in New Paltz, New York, on November 4, according to some In some cases, New York State police conducted thorough searches of the buildings and found no explosive devices. According to New York State Police press releases, the investigation into both threats is ongoing.

“Peanut Law”

In response to the New York Department of Environmental Protection’s actions, New York Republican Representatives Jake Blumencranz and Matt Simpson co-sponsored a new bill called the “Peanut’s Law: Humane Animal Protection Act.”

“What happened to Peanut was a tragedy and this heartbreaking event must be investigated,” Blumencranz said in a video shared on social media. “As a state legislator and animal advocate, this tragedy can be a catalyst for change in our process and system in which animal seizures occur.”

The purpose of the Peanut’s Law is to ensure humane treatment of animals in protected areas and would serve as a supplement to New York City Code Section 11-0511, which regulates the possession and transportation of wildlife.

According to a press release from Jake Blumencranz’s office, highlights of “Peanut’s Law” include:

72 hour waiting time: A 72-hour pause before euthanizing an animal at a shelter to allow shelter operators time to respond, arrange veterinary care and file an appeal
Urgent complaint rights: A committee of the Ministry of Environmental Protection reviews appeals within 48 hours and ensures that the case is dealt with promptly
Clear criteria for “immediate risk”.: Euthanasia can only bypass the waiting period if a licensed veterinarian confirms there is an immediate threat to public safety
Transparent reporting: The Department of Environmental Protection must publish quarterly reports on animal seizures and release test results within seven days when euthanasia occurs
Recognition as a sanctuary: Animal shelters are registered, fiscally identified entities and their rights to due process and humane treatment are protected

On November 2, Blumencranz sent a letter to Hochul and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commission Sean Mahar requesting support for the “Peanut Law.”

In an interview with USA TODAY on Tuesday, Blumencranz said he had been informed that Hochul had no interest in pursuing the “Peanut Law.”

“Unfortunately, the governor’s office and the individuals in the majority of the Assembly don’t see a problem,” Blumencranz told USA TODAY on Tuesday. “They say protocol was followed, no problems arose and this process is just how it works. I believe that the protocols need to change and that at least the voices of the voiceless animals euthanized in this process need to be heard.”

USA TODAY contacted Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office for comment but did not receive a response by deadline.

Who was Peanut the Squirrel?

Peanut was a rescued squirrel who had lived under the care of owner Mark Longo for seven years.

Longo first came into contact with Peanut when he saw the squirrel’s mother get hit by a car, USA TODAY previously reported. Unfortunately, the mother died and Peanut was an orphan. Longo was unable to find an animal shelter that would accept him. Longo ended up feeding baby Peanut for about eight months before attempting to release him back into the wild.

“I released him in the backyard and a day and a half later I found him sitting on my porch with half of his tail missing. So there I am, crying my eyes out, like, I failed you as your human,” Longo told USA TODAY in 2022. “And I kind of opened the door, he ran in and that was the last of Peanut’s wildlife career.”

For the first five years, Longo, Peanut and Longo’s cat Chloe lived together in harmony.

Last spring, Longo founded P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary in Pine City. According to its website, the nonprofit serves as a “sanctuary where neglected and homeless animals are given a second chance at life.”

“We moved to a small town to start a non-profit animal rescue called P’Nut’s Freedom Farm. We understood that this internet sensation was a wave and wanted to make something great out of it, so we moved from Connecticut to New York. We . … have rescued over 300 animals, all in the name of Peanut,” Longo told NewsNation’s Cuomo over the weekend. “Peanut is the center of our organization. I used his social media to raise funds to continue helping animals.”

Greta Cross is a national trends reporter for USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].

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