Peanut the Squirrel's story hit hard for one New York State Assemblyman, who's now pushing for a law to stop future animal heartbreaks like the one that befell the social media star -- and he says a request for an investigation is falling on deaf ears.
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00:00What happened to Peanut was a tragedy and it was an avoidable tragedy.
00:07It's heartbreaking to see what happened as an animal advocate and a member of the Assembly.
00:12We can make that change that we want to see.
00:15So we introduced Peanut's Law in response to this to make sure we can change the protocols that were executed here
00:22and make sure that there is due process and recourse for anyone who does have an animal seized and eventually euthanized
00:28that they can have the ability to step in, be part of the process, and seek justice.
00:33DEC and the Executive's Office and the Governor's Office have been radio silent.
00:39All they told us is that they followed the letter of the law, which is exactly why we say the law needs to change.
00:46We need to pass Peanut's Law and make sure that this does not happen on animal sanctuaries across our state ever again.
00:53You know what, I can't speak to the original investigation because they haven't informed us of much at all.
00:58But what I can tell you is this is classic New York, where they're sending in SWAT teams to get a squirrel,
01:04but, you know, they're wreaking havoc with crime in the city and no one seems to care up in Albany.
01:10It's time that we prioritize things correctly.
01:13And this is just a complete injustice for both this sanctuary, as well as the family and these poor animals.
01:21What we're dealing with here is just a protocol that doesn't make any sense.
01:24And this is about animal rights and an injustice that was served to two animals that, at the very least,
01:32could have been rehomed if the state found that was necessary.
01:35But to euthanize them in such a way without providing any recourse is what we're looking to change here.
01:42And that's the problem with the protocols in place is they are extreme.
01:45They don't take into consideration the welfare of the animal in instances like this,
01:50where they could have seeked veterinary help under this bill that I've introduced, Peanut's Law.
01:56It would provide them that avenue, right?
01:59We just want to have that due process that we have in so many other components of our lives, especially for our sanctuaries.
02:07These people were here to help animals, and they ended up in a horrible situation that never should have happened.
02:15That's why we're focused on changing at least the protocols in place throughout this process.