May 5 (UPI) -- Animal services officers in Iowa were called to an apartment complex on a report of an alligator on the loose, but they arrived to find the reported reptile was a life-sized plush toy. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa said animal services officers were dispatched to the apartment complex in Des Moines on a reported of a 4-to-5-foot loose gator in the parking lot. Advertisement "Residents of a Des Moines apartment complex walked out and were startled to see a large reptile resting in the parking lot," the ARL said in a Facebook post. "They immediately reported it and waited anxiously until our Animal Services Officer arrived. While their fear was real, the alligator, it turns out, was not." The alleged alligator actually was a 4-foot-long plush toy. "The large stuffed alligator is now safe in the care of ARL Animal Services," the post said. Read More Woman wins two Idaho Lottery jackpots in two weeks Quebec man breaks Guinness record with 44-hour video game marathon Landfill workers dig through trash to find woman's lost wallet, wedding ring Latest Headlines Odd News // 4 hours ago Bonobo safely back in enclosure after escape at Belgian zoo May 13 (UPI) -- Things are back to normal at a zoo in Belgium after a large, male bonobo escaped from its enclosure, forcing staff to quickly evacuate the entire zoo Friday. Odd News // 5 hours ago Friday is National Blame Someone Else Day May 13 (UPI) -- Friday marks your opportunity to shirk some responsibility, or indulge in an apple pie, fruit cocktail or crouton-filled salad. Odd News // 5 hours ago Massive dust storm engulfs drivers on Nebraska highway May 13 (UPI) -- Motorists in Nebraska this week found themselves stuck in a massive dust cloud during a major thunderstorm, dropping visibility to near zero and whipping up hurricane-force winds. Odd News // 5 hours ago North Carolina man completes 1,175-mile, 5-month hike May 13 (UPI) -- A man from North Carolina has completed his 5-month trek along the 1,175-mile North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Odd News // 6 hours ago Kim Jong Un impersonator crashes Australian PM's campaign event May 13 (UPI) -- A man dressed to impersonate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un disrupted one of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's campaign events Friday, in front of multiple news outlets. Odd News // 8 hours ago Giraffe calf at San Diego Zoo can stand, walk after leg brace treatment May 13 (UPI) -- The San Diego Zoo was able to help a 3-month-old giraffe calf named Msituni walk and stand using an orthotic leg brace treatment. Odd News // 9 hours ago Michigan woman wins $500,000 Powerball prize over Mother's Day May 13 (UPI) -- Deborah Berschbach of Royal Oak, Mich., won $500,000 playing the Powerball over Mother's Day weekend. Odd News // 1 day ago Baby zebra born at Florida safari park May 12 (UPI) -- A healthy baby zebra is the newest resident at Florida's Lion Country Safari, the park's officials announced over social media. Odd News // 1 day ago State trooper from Poland helps former Polish president change tire May 12 (UPI) -- A state trooper originally from Poland was sent to help change a flat tire Wednesday, and ended up meeting former Polish President Lech Walesa, Connecticut State Police shared on Facebook. Odd News // 1 day ago Houston Zoo's new capybara pups named after 'Encanto' movie May 12 (UPI) -- The Houston Zoo has a pair of new residents, after two healthy capybara pups were born, the park announced, using the headline "Don't Worry, Be Capy."
May 5 (UPI) -- Animal services officers in Iowa were called to an apartment complex on a report of an alligator on the loose, but they arrived to find the reported reptile was a life-sized plush toy.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa said animal services officers were dispatched to the apartment complex in Des Moines on a reported of a 4-to-5-foot loose gator in the parking lot. Advertisement
"Residents of a Des Moines apartment complex walked out and were startled to see a large reptile resting in the parking lot," the ARL said in a Facebook post.
"They immediately reported it and waited anxiously until our Animal Services Officer arrived. While their fear was real, the alligator, it turns out, was not."
The alleged alligator actually was a 4-foot-long plush toy.
"The large stuffed alligator is now safe in the care of ARL Animal Services," the post said.