Arrest Warrant

MERRIMACK, N.H. —Police in Merrimack have posted a warrant for the famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, on the department's Facebook page.

"We have received several complaints from the public that this little varmint is held up in a hole, warm and toasty," the post reads.

"He told several people that winter would last 6 more weeks. However, he failed to disclose that it would consist of mountains of snow!"

Police said Punxsutawney Phil should be considered armed and dangerous, and the public should not approach him.

The latest from Channel 9:


MERRIMACK, N.H. —Gov. Tom Wolf issued a warning to the Merrimack Police Department days after the department posted an arrest warrant for Punxsutawney Phil on its Facebook page.

“Punxsutawney Phil is not just some average rodent – he is an American legend and Pennsylvania hero,” Wolf wrote on Facebook.

The department posted the arrest warrant on their Facebook page Tuesday. The post has been shared nearly 10,000 times and has made headlines across the country.

"He told several people that winter would last 6 more weeks. However, he failed to disclose that it would consist of mountains of snow," the post reads.

Phil has been making predictions on February 2 in Punxsutawney since 1886.

“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."

Wolf also called for Gov. Maggie Hassan to intervene.

“If necessary, I will ask the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle to increase security at Phil’s stump or place Phil in protective custody until this outrageous warrant is rescinded,” Wolf said on his Facebook page.

Hassan responded on Twitter.

She tweeted, "All he has to do to make this go away is step outside and avoid his shadow...expecting more snow this weekend."