Toy alligator gives a few ‘mini panic attacks’ in Andover, animal control says

Andover Animal Control said "Later, gator" to a toy alligator scaring hikers on Tuesday.

When walking on a trail in Massachusetts, you may find some rabbits, chipmunks, or even a deer. But an alligator? That’s far less likely.

Andover Animal Control responded to Deer Jump Reservation on Tuesday after reports of an alligator scaring hikers, the unit said in a Facebook post. When officers arrived at the trail, they ventured into the bushes and found an alligator — a toy alligator.

“Once we arrived in the area, our excitement turned to belly laughs as we picked up a toy gator who was very well camouflaged and placed to look like the real thing!” the post said.

Animal Control officers removed the gator toy to prevent other “mini panic attacks,” the post said. While the incident was a false alarm, Animal Control said this is a “fabulous” reminder for people to keep their dogs on leashes.

“Surprisingly, this isn’t the first alligator call in this area and it surely won’t be the last – you never know what kind of creatures you’ll come across in the woods,” the unit wrote.