The union representing New York State’s Environmental Conservation Officers has spoken out against the recent controversy surrounding the seizure of Peanut the Squirrel and Fred the Raccoon. The DEC had seized the animals from their owner, Mark Longo, due to lack of proper licensing, sparking national outrage.
However, the PBA of New York State claims that the public has been misled by misinformation on social media, which fueled violent threats against DEC officers. The union argues that the officers should not be intimidated or fearful for doing their job.
According to the union, the DEC initiated its investigation into Longo in January after complaints from licensed wildlife rehabilitators. An Environmental Conservation Officer contacted Longo informing him that keeping a squirrel is illegal unless he was a licensed wildlife rehabilitator with the intent of preparing the animal to re-enter nature.
The union disputes claims that excessive force was used during the seizure, saying there were three uniformed officers and several plain clothes investigators involved. The DEC wildlife employees involved in the search were not police officers.
The controversy escalated when it was announced that Peanut and Fred were euthanized due to a bite from the squirrel, which transmitted rabies. The union claims this decision was made by the Chemung County Department of Health, not the DEC.
Source: https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/dec-officers-union-says-public-misled-in-seizure-and-death-of-peanut-the-squirrel-fred-raccoon-longo-outrage-chemung-county-ny-new-york-wrgb