Chemung County releases rabies test results for Peanut the squirrel

You can watch a recording of the full conference in the video player above.

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – The Chemung County Executive's Office held a press conference on Tuesday morning detailing the Chemung County Health Department's role in the seizure of Peanut the squirrel and Fred the raccoon from a home in Pine City on Oct. 30.

On Tuesday, Nov. 12, Chemung County Executive Chris Moss and Chemung County Public Health Director Peter Buzzetti spoke in response to a press release issued by the union representing the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regarding the decision to test both animals for rabies.

Moss stated during the conference that the rabies test results came back negative for both animals and provided rabies report forms, which can be found at the bottom of this story. Moss further stated that the Health Department is unaware of whether or not Mark and Daniela Longo were notified about the euthanization of the two animals.

When asked about the 10-day confinement period for animals suspected to have rabies, Buzzetti stated that this only applies to pets, specifically dogs, cats, and ferrets.

For the majority of the conference, Moss ran through a timeline of events leading up to the seizure and euthanization of both animals.

To start, Moss detailed that while the Chemung County Health Department was involved in completing the rabies report form and forwarding it to Elmira Animal Control to authorize the euthanization, this was done at the request of the DEC. Moss further stated that the Health Department and Elmira Animal Control had multiple conversations with the DEC on the euthanization process before anyone was bit or any animal was seized.

In the timeline, Moss indicated that the process began with an email complaint received by the Health Department's Environmental Health Services on Oct. 19 regarding the Longos having a raccoon and squirrel in their home without being granted a license by the DEC. On Oct. 21, this complaint was forwarded to the DEC and Elmira Animal Control.

Moss then states that on Oct. 22 the DEC contacted the Health Department advising them of the following: 'DEC is aware of an individual in Chemung County who is known to illegally possess an adult gray squirrel and at least four young raccoons. They may also be in possession of other illegal wildlife species.' Further, the DEC inquired about the animals being tested for rabies by writing the following: 'We would like to know if the Health Department would recommend these animals be tested for rabies as a precaution for human safety.'

In response to the DEC, Moss states that the Health Department contacted the New York State Department of Health Zoonosis Program (zoonosis, also known as zoonoses, being a disease that can be transmitted to humans from non-human animals) stating 'wildlife cannot be confined like domestic animals, and if there was an exposure, the animals would need to be tested for rabies. Exposure is typically from a bite but can also be caused by saliva entering a wound or mucous membrane.'

The timeline notes that the DEC stated it had received three additional complaints that same day and that it was already in the process of investigating the Longos. The Health Department then notified the DEC about the guidance it was provided by the NYSDOH Zoonosis Program and what would be needed if the animals were seized from the home.

Moss then continues down the timeline stating that on Oct. 24, the DEC contacted the Health Department requesting the phone number of the complainant, stating that they did not have it. On Oct. 29, the DEC contacted the Health Department again advising that they would be seizing the animals on Wednesday, Oct. 30, and asked if the Health Department used Elmira Animal Control for euthanizations. The DEC then contacted Animal Control to discuss the euthanization process.

The timeline concludes by stating that on Oct. 30, the DEC conducted a search warrant and contacted the Health Department stating that one squirrel and one raccoon were seized. The Dec further stated that during the search the squirrel bit someone who was later identified as a DEC employee. Both animals were then euthanized later that day to be sent for rabies testing.

After concluding with the timeline, Moss noted the following: 'I think it's important to point out that euthanization orders are almost always completed at the request of either the person exposed or an agency who is conducting an animal-related investigation, such as this. As depicted on both euthanization forms, both animals were brought to the Elmira Animal Control so that proper testing could be conducted.'

You can read the entire release provided by the Chemung County Executive Office indicating the timeline of events below:

In addition to presenting the timeline, Moss noted that the county was unaware of the fame of the squirrel, although it would not have changed the outcome of the case. The county is also aware of the source who filed the complaint but is unable to reveal that source to the public.

Moss concluded by asking the public to allow the DEC the necessary amount of time to complete their investigation so that their questions could be answered.

You can view the rabies report forms for both animals below: