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.

On October 30, the Department of Environmental Conservation raided Longo’s house, where he lives with his wife Daniela, to seize Peanut and Fred, his rescued raccoon. According to the agency, they had received several complaints about illegally keeping animals in an unsafe environment. Both animals were subsequently euthanized.