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.

Peanut the squirrel, an internet sensation that sparked an animal sanctuary in Pine City, was euthanized this week after being seized from his home along with a rehabilitating raccoon, a statement from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation confirms.