Chemung County Executive Chris Moss held a press conference on Tuesday, detailing the county health department’s role in the seizure of Peanut the Squirrel and Fred the Raccoon from a Pine City home last month.
The squirrel and raccoon were euthanized after authorities said the squirrel bit a DEC employee during the seizure.
On Friday, the union representing the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officers issued a press release indicating the Chemung County Health Department determined that a squirrel and a raccoon needed to be euthanized after the squirrel bit a DEC Civilian Wildlife Biologist.
Moss said in a press release on Tuesday that while the health department did complete the rabies report form and forwarded it to Elmira Animal Control authorizing the animals to be euthanized, this was done at the request of the New York DEC.
Moss said the DEC had multiple conversations with the Chemung County Health Department and Elmira Animal Control on the euthanization process prior to anyone being bitten or the animals being seized.
The rabies tests for both animals came back negative.
Here is the complete press release provided by Moss, including a timeline of events:
On Friday, 11/08/24, the union representing New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) officers issued a press release indicating that the Chemung County Health Department determined that a squirrel and a raccoon needed to be euthanized after the squirrel bit a DEC Civilian Wildlife Biologist.
While the Health Department did complete the rabies report form and forwarded it to Elmira Animal Control authorizing euthanization, this was done at the request of NYSDEC. The NYSDEC had multiple conversations with the Chemung County Health Department and Elmira Animal Control on the euthanization process prior to anyone being bitten or the animals being seized.
The following timeline of events outlines the Chemung County Health Department’s role in this case:
10/19/24: Chemung County Health Department’s Environmental Health Services (EHS) receives a complaint via e-mail regarding Mark and Daniela Longo, Town of Southport having a raccoon and squirrel in their home despite not having been granted licensure by DEC.
10/21/24: Complaint forwarded to the NYS DEC and Elmira Animal Control.
10/22/24: NYS DEC contacted CCHD advising them that “DEC is aware of an individual in Chemung County who is known to illegally possess an adult gray squirrel and at least 4 young raccoons. They may also be in possession of other illegal wildlife species”. DEC further inquired “We would like to know if the Health Department would recommend these animals be tested for rabies as a precaution for human safety”.
10/23/24: CCHD contacts New York State Department of Health (Zoonosis Program) who stated “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.
NYS DEC stated that they had received (3) additional complaints that same day and that DEC was already in the process of investigating the Longos. CCHD notified NYS DEC on guidance provided by NYSDOH Zoonoses and what would be needed if the animals were seized from the home. CCHD would need to know if there was an exposure and a list of those who had been exposed to animals. CCHD advised to look for potential wounds that may help make a determination. CCHD further advised residents to compile a list of people that may have had bite or mucous membrane exposure or significant direct prolonged contact, more than petting. CCHD offered to be contacted to discuss and evaluate findings to assist in making exposure determinations while being removed.
10/24/24: NYS DEC contacts CCHD requesting complainants phone number. DEC advised that CCHD did not have the complainants phone number.
10/29/24: NYS DEC contacts CCHD advising that they will be seizing animals on Wednesday, 10/30/24, and inquired if CCDH uses the Elmira Animal Control for euthanization. NYS DEC contacts Elmira Animal Control to inquire about euthanization process.
10/30/24: NYS DEC conducts search warrant, contacts CCHD and advises that one squirrel and one raccoon were seized and during the execution of the search warrant and the squirrel bit someone, later identified as a DEC employee. Both animals were euthanized later in the day to be sent for rabies testing.
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.
I would like to thank Acting Commissioner Sean Mahar and his entire team for keeping my office up to date on their investigation, additionally, I would ask the public to allow the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation the amount of time necessary to complete their investigation so that many of the public’s questions can be answered.
Christopher J. Moss
Chemung County Executive
