ROCKVILLE - The Stearns County Sheriff's Office responded to a call regarding an exotic animal on Thursday.

The caller was out mowing his lawn near a wetland area when he saw a 2-foot alligator in the grass.

A deputy responded and found the alligator on the grass near a creek and swampy area. The deputy approached on foot and the alligator did not move.

The deputy then used his baton to investigate further and found the alligator to be a plastic toy.

It was safely removed.