Public Warned Of Alligator Sighting

Swimmers at the Old City Lake are asked to be more cautious after a 16-year-old reported seeing a six-foot alligator at the lake located off Old Kaufman Road in Canton on Friday.

City secretary Julie Seymore said once the police were contacted about the sighting, they immediately contacted the Texas Parks & Wildlife game warden.

"We want to warn people that there has been a sighting," Seymore said Monday.

She further warned that people should use caution when out by the lake.

Texas Parks & Wildlife Game Warden Steve Stapleton said he has no doubts there are alligators in the 30-acre lake, but said until he has seen one for sure no traps will be set. He is however going to monitor the lake closely.

"In this part of East Texas they are very, very common," Stapleton said. "They are like squirrels."

Stapleton went on to state however, unless alligators have become used to humans "they are commonly scared of people."

"With the rain that we have had (Tuesday) they pick up and move a lot," Stapleton said. "They are usually looking for food or love."

Stapleton said on average he is called out on five or six "alligator calls" a year in Canton, and when one is found a special trapper is called in if needed.

"It’s still a small town country atmosphere out here. You still see coyotes, coons, skunks…none of these animals will hurt you, but they are still wild animals," Stapleton said.

He warned that if an alligator is spotted to contact the police department, stay away from it, don’t pick it up and don’t feed it. Also, be sure you can give police the location where the alligator was seen.