MERRIMACK – Pennsylvania’s governor stood up in defense of Punxsutawney Phil after the Merrimack Police Department issued a warrant for the groundhog’s arrest Tuesday.
Citing Phil’s failure to disclose just how bad the six remaining weeks of winter would be, Merrimack police became determined to take him into custody.
Gov. Tom Wolf admitted to harboring the furry fugitive Thursday.
“Punxsutawney Phil is not just some average rodent – he is an American legend and Pennsylvania hero,” Wolf said in a statement posted to his Facebook account.
In response to Wolf’s request to “cool it” on the famous weather rodent, Merrimack Police Chief Mark Doyle said it might be difficult with the next winter storm looming this weekend.
“After talking to folks in our town, people have just about had it,” the chief said, commenting on the wave after wave of heavy winter weather slamming New Hampshire. “We had to hold somebody accountable.”
Pennsylvanians have no plans to extradite Phil to Merrimack.
“We will do what is necessary to protect our beloved weather-predicting groundhog,” Wolf wrote. “The Merrimack Police Department should drop their cold-hearted plan to arrest Phil. I hope cooler heads prevail before this situation really heats up.”
Doyle said the Merrimack community stands behind the department on its “marmot” hunt.
“All feedback has been very good and positive,” he said.
With more than 9,000 post shares and exposure by The Associated Press, CBS Boston, Boston.com and ABC News, the search for Phil has received significant attention.
Doyle said he “never expected it to take off” the way it has.
The original message, posted on the Merrimack PD Facebook page on Feb. 10, read, “We here at Merrimack Police felt compelled to let the public know that there is a warrant for Punxsutawney Phil! We have received several complaints from the public that this little varmint is held up in a hole, warm and toasty. He told several people that winter would last six more weeks, however he failed to disclose that it would consist of mountains of snow! If you see him, do not approach him as he is armed and dangerous. Call Merrimack Police, we will certainly take him into custody!”
As of Friday evening, the fugitive remained at large.
Tina Forbes can be reached at 594-6402, tforbes@nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_TinaF.
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/1057320-469/pa.-governor-comes-to-punxsutawney-phils-defense.html
See? New Englanders and PA peeps have a sense of humor!
