Squirrel Peanut’s death sparks bomb threats as officials work from home

Bomb threats were made against New York State offices targeting the people who euthanized Peanut the squirrel, resulting in employees being given the option to continue their duties remotely.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) employees were reported to be able to work from home on Monday and Tuesday Times-Unionas police investigated bomb threats at several DEC facilities across the state.

The threats came in response to the death of Peanut, or P’Nut, a squirrel seized by the DEC last week from the home of Mark and Daniela Longo in the Chemung County hamlet of Pine City.

After receiving anonymous complaints about the animals’ living conditions, wildlife officers went to the property, which the couple runs as an animal rescue center. Peanut was euthanized after reportedly biting a person.

Newsweek contacted DEC via email for comment outside of business hours on Tuesday.

DEC offices in Allegany, Bath, Buffalo, Cortland, New Paltz, New York City, Sherburne, Stony Brook, Syracuse and Tarrytown all received bomb threats. None of the threats or threats against DEC employees or their families were considered legitimate, it said Times-Union.

The outlet reported that DEC’s employee relations department wrote in an email to all employees: “Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our employees. As you know, there have been a number of threats against DEC and our employees.” We have taken these events extremely seriously over the past few days, including through close coordination with the New York State Police.

“If you receive a threat, contact law enforcement and your supervisor. If you have any immediate threat, please contact 911.”

Peanut became a social media sensation on Instagram, with the account @peanut_the_squirrel12 having more than 750,000 followers. In the account bio, Peanut is described as “just your everyday squirrel rescued from the mean streets of New York. Parkour expert who doesn’t shy away from stealing your food.

Longo had cared for Peanut for seven years, having rescued the squirrel after witnessing his mother get hit by a car in New York City. Longo’s Instagram page features videos of the squirrel performing its tricks.

In a statement about it Newsweek On Friday, DEC officials said, “DEC has seized a raccoon and a squirrel that share a residence with humans, posing a risk of human exposure to rabies. Additionally, one person involved in the investigation was bitten by the squirrel.”

“To test for rabies, both animals were euthanized. The animals will be tested for rabies and anyone who has come into contact with these animals is strongly advised to consult their doctor.”

Since Peanut’s death, there has been public outrage over the “mishandling” of Peanut’s case. As reported by NewsweekThe DEC’s decision to euthanize Peanut and Fred, the raccoon Longo rescued, sparked a strong reaction from prominent MAGA Republicans who claimed the administration had gone too far.

On Sunday, former President Donald Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, told a crowd at a rally in Sanford, North Carolina, that Trump was “upset” over the squirrel’s death.

“Is it really the case that the Democrats have murdered the Elon Musk of squirrels?'” Vance said.

Musk, the billionaire former CEO of

On Saturday, Musk wrote in another X post: “The government should not be allowed to enter your home and kill your pet! Why kill PNut instead of just releasing him into the forest!?”

On Tuesday, a video of Musk being interviewed by Joe Rogan was posted to the America X account. Alongside it, Musk implored voters: “Go out and vote… for Peanut… How is it that we live in America, a supposed land of the free, and the government can break into your home with guns?”

A GoFundMe in Peanut’s memory for the Longos Animal Rescue Center is at nearly $200,000. The fundraiser, organized in Mark Longo’s name and titled “In Honor of Peanut and Fred: Support P’nuts Freedom Farm,” reads: “It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the loss of our beloved squirrel, Peanut and the raccoon Fred is known. On October 30, the DEC made the devastating decision to euthanize these precious animals, despite our sincere pleas for compassion…

“We are incredibly grateful to our generous community who stepped up to provide free legal representation to support our cause. This legal support will empower us to demand accountability from the DEC and advocate for a more compassionate approach to wildlife management.”

The fundraiser states that all proceeds will go directly to the rescue and care of other animals at P’nuts Freedom Farm “to ensure we can continue to provide a safe haven for those in need.” Together we can make a difference and ensure that no.” Other animals suffer a fate like Peanut and Fred.