The state Department of Environmental Conservation seized and euthanized Peanut, an Instagram-famous squirrel as part of a raid last week in Chemung County. DEC encouraged staff to work from home Monday if they felt unsafe about threats the agency has ...

The controversy over Peanut, the pet squirrel and social media sensation seized by the state Department of Environmental Conservation and euthanized last week, has raised questions about who can and should handle wildlife in New York.

Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon were confiscated and euthanized that week, here’s how the incident became political.