The state is investigating how its agents tussled for hours raid on a New York state home that led to the tragic death of Internet-famous squirrel P’Nut — as The Post identified the lead investigator behind the bush banging.

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

Both animals were euthanized and beheaded as the state claimed they were testing them for rabies after P’Nut bit one of the agents 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 continue to serve this core mission,” a DEC spokesperson told The Post Friday.

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

Rabies test results are usually available within 24 to 72 hours after the animal is euthanized and the sample is received by the lab, According to the CDC. Results for samples sent to the state DOH’s Wadsworth Center are usually available the business day after their arrival.

The center, which is to publish monthly rabies reports, has haven’t done it since june and declined to answer whether it had received any copies from Chemung County in recent weeks.

Hochul promised early in his tenure to make transparency the “hallmark” of his administration. Her office did not respond to multiple inquiries from The Post.

“You claimed rabies . . . but you haven’t commented on it publicly?” a heartbroken Longo34, told The Post of the state’s reticence. “As a taxpayer, is my life and what you caused me not good enough to answer?”

A DEC spokesman instructed The Post to file a Freedom of Information Law request in response to multiple requests for rabies test results, which it has done, while a dispatcher directed a reporter to a hotline set up for P’Nut callers to leave messages .

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

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

On October 30, around December 10, agents descended on Longo’s 350-acre property, where he runs an animal sanctuary with his wife, in addition to caring for Fred and P’Nut at their home. The couple rescued the squirrel seven years ago after its mother was killed by a car and they kept it as a pet. Fred was saved just a few months ago.

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

The decision noted Crain’s suspicions that the couple was illegally harboring a gray squirrel and raccoon, but made no mention of rabies or any other imminent dangers.

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

“What happened in my house, if you think it was an educational (act) — I don’t know,” Longo said, who plan to sue 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 outraged critics around the countrywho point to the raid as a stark example of government abuse and misplaced priorities.

Donald Trump’s official TikTok account posted that P’Nut was “needlessly murdered by Democratic bureaucrats in New York.” Longo, who believes that P’Nut’s plight may have it helped get Trump electedhope the president-elect will visit his sanctuary.

Outrage over the squirrel’s death has triggered at least 14 bomb threats to DEC offices across the state, none of which were found to be credible, according to state police spokesman Beau Duffy.

The Police Benevolent Association of New York State, the union representing DEC law enforcement agents, pleaded for calm On Friday, it noted “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 illegally harbored a squirrel, the union said. Officials issued him a warning and Longo claimed he had released P’Nut into the wild.

The subsequent raid last week came after the agency received additional complaints, which led to an audit of Longo’s social media posts that revealed he had lied and had continued to house P’Nut while bringing 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 to enforce the law,” the union said.

Additional reporting by Tina Moore