Squirrel, Cat Share Cage: DEC

SLOATSBURG, NY — A gray squirrel has been set free by state conservation police.

On March 5, ECO Corey Hornicek received a complaint in the village of Sloatsburg regarding a resident and his “pet” gray squirrel. Upon arrival, Hornicek was greeted by a Ramapo Police Officer who explained that a man living at the residence was keeping a gray squirrel in his basement apartment.

The man was cooperative, and ECO Hornicek was surprised to find both a gray squirrel and a house cat in the same cage.

He explained to the man that the gray squirrel is a protected species and that he is not allowed to keep it as a pet.

One ticket was issued for possession of a wild animal without a permit, returnable to the Village of Sloatsburg Court. The squirrel was released back into the wild.