Groundhog's Death Laid at NY Mayor's Feet

Politics can sometimes be unpredictable, as New York Mayor Bill de Blasio learned following reports that a groundhog he dropped during a photo session died last February.

The groundhog, named Chuck, squirmed out of the six-foot-three mayor's arms while he was posing for photos on February 2 -- Groundhog Day -- and plummeted to the floor, the New York Post reported Thursday.

The rodent died a week later from "acute internal injuries," the newspaper reported.

According to popular folklore, if a groundhog emerges from its cage and sees its own shadow, winter will continue for another six weeks. If the day is cloudy and the groundhog does not cast a shadow, spring is expected to arrive.

The Post said the zoo -- which receives nearly 50 percent of its funding from the city -- covered up the cause of death, claiming the critter died of natural causes.

The mayor's office said it was saddened by the news.

"We were unaware that Staten Island Chuck had passed but are sorry to hear of the loss,? Phil Walzak, a spokesman for the mayor, was quoted as saying in the Post.

Twitter was ablaze with reactions to the tragic incident, as claims of scandal emerged.

"The first real scandal of the de Blasio administration," said one tweet.

"Mayor de Blasio has groundhog blood on his hands!" said another, while New York Magazine said the story "promises to be our generation's Watergate."