The state is investigating how its agents botched the hours-long raid on an upstate New York home that led to the tragic death of the Internet-famous squirrel P’Nut — as The Post identified the lead investigator behind the violent blow.

The Department of Environmental Conservation said it is conducting an “internal investigation” into the much-criticized seizure of P’Nut and Fred the raccoon from Mark Longo’s home in Pine City.

Both animals were euthanized — and likely decapitated — because the state claimed it had tested them for rabies after P’Nut bit one of the officers on the hand during the raid. An unconvinced Longo said the officers were wearing heavy protective gloves.

“An internal investigation into the matter is ongoing and we are reviewing internal policies and procedures to ensure we can continue to fulfill this core mission,” a DEC spokesperson told The Post on Friday.

But Governor Hochul’s office, the DEC, the state Health Department and the Chemung County Health Department continued to refuse to share the results of any tests on the animals or the status of the allegedly injured official — despite the viral disease being a fatal public health disease. risk.

Rabies test results are typically available within 24 to 72 hours after the animal is euthanized and the sample is received at the laboratory, the CDC said. Results for samples sent to the State DOH Wadsworth Center are typically available the business day after arrival.

The center, which is required to publish monthly rabies reports, has not done so since June and declined to respond if it had received samples from Chemung County in recent weeks.

Hochul promised early in her term to make transparency “the hallmark” of her government. Her office did not respond to several inquiries from The Post.

“You claimed rabies. . . but you haven’t made a public response to it yet?” a heartbroken Longo, 34, told The Post of the state’s restraint. “Is my life and what you did to me as a taxpayer not good enough to respond?”

A DEC spokesperson instructed The Post to file a Freedom of Information request in response to multiple requests for rabies test results, which it did, while a dispatcher referred a reporter to a hotline set up where P’Nut callers could leave messages.

“They realize in retrospect that this got out of hand and they didn’t handle it well,” said Sen. Dan Stec (R-Warren) of the state’s response.

“I can’t think of any legitimate reason to keep the rabies test results hidden. It is a matter of public health,” he added. “Where is the state secret here? Whose interests are they protecting?”

On October 30, about 10 DEC agents responded to Longo’s 350-acre estate, where he runs an animal shelter with his wife in addition to caring for Fred and P’Nut in their home. The couple rescued the squirrel seven years ago after its mother was killed by a car and kept it as a pet. Fred was rescued a few months ago.

DEC investigator Joshua Crain executed the search warrant after receiving a signature from Judge Richard W. Rich Jr. the day before. from Chemung County, according to court documents.

The order noted Crain’s suspicions that the couple was unlawfully housing a gray squirrel and raccoon, but made no mention of rabies or other imminent dangers.

Crain was named Wildlife Officer of the Year in 2022 by a conservation-based group, with the DEC ironically touting a working philosophy that “promotes education first and enforcement when necessary.”

“What happened in my house, if you think that was an educational (action) – I don’t know,” seethed Longo, who plans to sue the DEC.

Crain and Rich did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Chemung County Executive Chris Moss declined to comment.

P’Nut’s death has angered critics across the country, who see the raid as a stark example of government overreach and misplaced priorities.

The Donald Trump campaign’s official TikTok account said P’Nut was “needlessly murdered by Democratic bureaucrats in New York.” Longo, who believes P’Nut’s plight contributed to Trump’s election, hopes the newly elected president will visit his haven.

The outrage over the squirrel’s death has led to at least 14 bomb threats against DEC offices across the state, none of which were found credible, state police spokesman Beau Duffy said.

DEC staff even avoids the public and puts tape over the agency’s name in the Elmira building.

“It’s just a precaution,” said one employee, also trying to distance himself from his office’s involvement in the ongoing red tape.

“I’m not in nature,” he said when asked about the whereabouts of the carcasses. “These are all environmental programs here.”

The Police Benevolent Association of New York State, the union representing DEC law enforcement officers, pleaded for calm on Friday, noting that misinformation shared online had led to violent threats against agency staff and a judge.

DEC’s investigation into Longo dated back to January, when the agency first received complaints that Longo had unlawfully harbored a squirrel, the union said. Officials warned him and Longo claimed he had released P’Nut into the wild.

The subsequent raid last week came after the agency received additional complaints, prompting a review of Longo’s social media posts that found he had lied and continued to harbor P’Nut while also taking in a raccoon, the organization noted .

“We ask the public to keep in mind that (DEC officials) are their friends, family and neighbors and do not deserve to live in fear of enforcing the law,” the union said.

Additional reporting by Tina Moore