New York holds headless body of famous squirrel P’Nut as evidence in ongoing case

The headless body of P’Nut the squirrel is being kept as evidence by New York's Department of Environmental Conservation after a raid on his owner's property. P’Nut and his companion, Fred the raccoon, were euthanized for rabies testing. The rabies tests showed neither animal was infected, but their heads are missing. The owner, Mark Longo, has requested the remains for burial but has received no response from the state amid ongoing litigation. Longo's lawyer argues that he should receive the animals' bodies for a proper sendoff. The raid, which occurred on October 30, has faced criticism for being poorly executed and unnecessary.