Paw & Order: Squirrel Knocks Out Power for 12,000 New Yorkers

A file photo of a squirrel, not necessarily the one responsible for the power outage.Getty Images

By Stephanie Officer

Updated: 8:02 AM PST, November 20, 2018

Thousands of residents in upstate New York were left without electricity over the weekend — and a squirrel is to blame.

Thousands of residents in upstate New York were left without electricity over the weekend — and officials say a squirrel is to blame.

Officials said the small critter was responsible for knocking out power to 12,000 homes in a Buffalo, New York, suburb on Sunday.

New York State Electric and Gas said the mischievous squirrel got into their substation and knocked out three others in the process.

The outages did not last long. Power was restored by early Sunday afternoon.

It's believe that the squirrel remains at large.