A New York State Assembly member has introduced a new law after an internet-famous squirrel was euthanized in upstate New York.

WETM reports that New York State Assembly Member Jake Blumencranz from the 15th Assembly District on Long Island has proposed “The Peanut Law: A Humane Animal Protection Act.” The law would be an amendment to New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law regarding animal seizure rules following a popular vote. Peanut the squirrelalso known as P’Nut or PNUT, was euthanized by DEC agents last week.

“I urge you to take immediate action by launching a thorough investigation into the handling of this matter and ensuring accountability,” Blumencranz wrote in a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul. “It is essential that we work together to safeguard both animal welfare and the values ​​we uphold as a compassionate society. »

Peanut and Fred, a rescued raccoon, were both confiscated Wednesday from Mark Longo’s home and animal sanctuary in the southern hamlet of Pine City. The DEC and Chemung County Health Department said both animals were tested for rabies after Peanut allegedly bit someone during an investigation into complaints that the wildlife would have been kept illegally and potentially dangerous.

In New York State, it is illegal to harbor animals considered wildlife without a special permit; Mr. Longo said he was in the process of applying for it. Longo said he is working to get Peanut certified as a training animal.

“Honestly, it still seems a little surreal, that the state I live in actually targeted me and took away two of the most beloved animals on this planet, without even quarantining them. They took them from my house and just killed them,” he said. told the Associated Press SATURDAY.

According to WETM, Blumencranz’s proposed law would amend Section 11-0512 of the New York Environmental Conservation Law to ensure humane treatment and due process for sanctuary animals, including a period of mandatory wait of 72 hours before euthanizing any animal in the sanctuary. It would also create a DEC expert review committee dedicated to emergency calls and recognize animal sanctuaries as

The controversy has become a political issue for the 2024 elections, according to the New York Times And rolling stone.

Republicans, including Blumencranz and Reps. Marc J. Molinaro and Marjorie Taylor Greene, have used it to accuse Democrats of government overreach. Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance told a rally in North Carolina on Sunday that former President Donald Trump even got “fired up about P’Nut the Squirrel.”

“RIP Peanut,” the Trump campaign’s official TikTok account said on Sunday. “Needlessly murdered by Democratic bureaucrats in New York… We will avenge you at the ballot box on Tuesday.”

Hochul and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, declined requests for comment, according to the Times.

Backlash only grew when Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, spoke out about Peanut on social media and the squirrel even appeared on the cover of the New York Post on Sunday. New York State Police have dealt with 10 bomb threats in the past two days targeting DEC facilities, an official told the Times.

Longo, also known as “Squirrel Daddy” on the site Only Fans, reportedly considered Peanut and Fred to be pets. Peanut, who became famous on Instagram thanks to photos in a tiny cowboy hat, lived with them for seven years and inspired Longo and his wife, Daniela, to open an animal shelter in Chemung County called P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary.

Longo told Rolling Stone that he had no problems with the DEC before, but changed his mind after last week’s raid.

“I’m the first to say I’m afraid of politics, but this excites me in the sense of, ‘Is this how government is run in New York State?’” he said. -he declared to the magazine. “I don’t want Peanut’s name to die in vain.”