Ohio city's probe finds 'no alligator' on the loose after reported sighting

Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Officials in an Ohio city said they do not believe there is an alligator on the loose at a local park after a reported sighting set off two days of searching.

The City of Beavercreek said local police received a report Sunday about a "potential alligator sighting" at Dominick Lofino Park.

The teenage witness snapped photos of the purported reptile and his mother, Megan Stanley, posted the pictures to social media.

"He sent me pictures and I said, 'That looks like an alligator. You need to get off the bank or wherever you're at, and call the police,'" Megan Stanley told WHIO-TV.

The sighting sparked an investigation and a search of the park by police and an Ohio Department of Natural Resources officer.

The city said Tuesday that officials are now convinced there is no gator on the loose.

"Additionally, no further sightings have been reported to the police or city staff despite an increase in visitors to the park. Based on these findings, officials believe that there is no alligator in the pond," the city said in a statement.