Yahoo News Ky. Police Suggests Pet Owners Keep Their Dogs Leashed After 'Possible Large Snake Sighting'
The Erlanger Police Department shared that there have been no verified snake sightings, but officials did find tracks that a large reptile could've left
Getty
A stock photo of a pythonA town in Kentucky is getting an early Halloween scare.
According to the Erlanger Police Department in Erlanger, Ky., there has been a "possible large snake sighting" in the area. The agency shared the news in a Sept. 27 police advisory.
The advisory from Chief Kyle Rader of the Erlanger Police Department noted that the department is investigating "unverified snake sightings" and has received several inquiries about large snake sightings.
According to the police statement, officers responded to an unverified sighting and "observed large tracks" in a grassy area of the property. A reptile expert examined these tracks and determined a large snake could have made them.
In response, the police department placed game cameras around the area of the alleged sighting to try to capture images of the supposed snake. So far, "no images of the snake have been captured."
Related: 'Stout' Snake Gets Collected for Nature Survey. Then It Vomits Up Two More Snakes — One Living!
The advisory emphasized that, with no photo evidence, there have been "no credible sightings" of an impressively sized snake in Erlanger. The police department encouraged residents to be "cautious but not alarmed" about the potential sightings in its statement, which was also shared on the department's Facebook.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The agency also provided several precautions for residents to take to protect themselves and their pets from any possible snakes slithering around the town. The Erlanger Police Department recommended keeping pets leashed while outside at all times, staying alert while outdoors, and securing spaces with access to the outdoors.
The police advisory closed with a message of support to the community and a promise to keep the snake situation under observation.
"Your safety remains our top priority," the statement said.
The Erlanger Police Department's Facebook post has received hundreds of comments, including a few from people who chose to poke fun at the mysterious situation.
"Who opened the Jumanji board?" one commenter asked. Another added, "Watch it be a rat snake. Completely harmless, and they get very long."
On Sept. 17, Virginia Wildlife Management and Control shared a close encounter a man had with a venomous snake. According to the wildlife removal company, a man in Chester, Va., was in his apartment doing his laundry in the room attached to his bedroom when he spotted a copperhead on the washer. The man narrowly avoided being bitten by the venomous snake before calling Virginia Wildlife Management and Control to help remove the reptile.
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
