The New York Department of Environmental Conservation has launched an internal investigation after the agency seized a pet squirrel named Peanut that was subsequently euthanizedsparking national outrage.

“DEC is committed to protecting the safety and well-being of wildlife across New York State,” a statement said. obtained by local news channel WETM 18 News. “An internal investigation into this matter is ongoing and we are reviewing internal policies and procedures to ensure we continue to fulfill this core mission.”

Peanut became a social media star after being orphaned seven years ago and kept as a pet by Mark Longo in rural Pine City, New York. Longo, who posted photos and videos showing the squirrel jumping and climbing on him, eating toasted waffles and wearing hats, did not have the legally required license to keep wild animals. He told CBS News that he and his wife were “in the process” of obtaining the correct documents.

In late October, conservation officers raided Longo’s home and seized Peanut, as well as a raccoon named Fred. A spokesperson told the AP that the agency had received “multiple reports from the public” that Longo was illegally keeping wild animals as pets.

Days later, NYDEC and the Chemung County Health Department released a statement saying the two animals had been “euthanized” to be tested for rabies after Peanut bit an officer. (Animals cannot be tested for rabies without being killed because their brain tissue needs to be examined.)

Squirrels “almost never” get rabies, according to the New York State Department of Health. But raccoons are more likely to carry the deadly disease, and officials feared the possibility that Fred had rabies and passed it to Peanut, said a statement from the Police Benevolent Association, the union that represents raccoons. New York chat agents.

The declaration, obtained by CBS 6 Albanyalso said the decision to euthanize Peanut and Fred was made by the county health department, not the state environmental agency.

NYDEC and the Chemung County Health Department did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s requests for comment, and rabies test results have not been released.

Although Peanut had fans (and mourners) across the political spectrum, his death became a major cause for conservatives, who called the incident an example of government overreach. On the Sunday before the presidential election, the GOP candidate Donald Trumpthe countryside promised on TikTok to “avenge” the squirrel “at the polls”.

The outrage over Peanut and Fred also sparked at least 10 bomb threats against state environmental facilities, a the spokesperson told the New York Times.

Longo, who last year created an animal sanctuary named after the squirrel, appears to have stayed away from any explicitly partisan comments. But he condemned the state for its misplaced priorities.

“We have the resources to kill a raccoon and a squirrel, but we can’t repair the major bridges down the street? he said on NewsNation last week. “I am appalled.”