A man accused of feeding methamphetamine to what police called an “attack squirrel” has been charged with illegal possession of wildlife in Alabama.
Court records show Mickey Paulk has not denied having a pet squirrel, which is illegal under state law.
But he has denied police allegations he fed the drug, otherwise known as meth or crystal meth, to the squirrel - called “Deeznutz” - to make it more aggressive.
Police found the animal during a raid at Mr Paulk’s home in Athens, where they say they found meth, drug paraphernalia, body armour and ammunition.
Mr Paulk later said he has had the squirrel since it was a baby and would never give it drugs.
The rodent was set free by police after officials from the state’s Department of Conservation recommended releasing it back into the wild.
Stephen Young, a spokesman for the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, said there had been no safe way to test the squirrel for meth before its release.
Limestone County sheriff’s officers arrested Mr Paulk last week following a chase in which he allegedly rammed an investigator’s vehicle.
He faces illegal gun possession and other charges.
