Authorities in Oviedo, Florida, have issued a safety warning after a confirmed alligator sighting near a popular dog park. The incident occurred at Riverside Park, a community area that includes walking trails and a designated dog park section.
According to the Oviedo Police Department, the alligator was reported by a resident on the morning of April 3, 2026. The animal was estimated to be approximately 6 to 7 feet in length and was seen in a retention pond adjacent to the park's amenities. Police and wildlife officials responded to the scene.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has been notified. The FWC advises the public to keep pets on leashes and away from the water's edge, and to never feed alligators, as this causes them to lose their natural wariness of people. Nuisance alligator trappers are authorized to remove animals deemed a threat if they meet specific size or behavior criteria.
Officials remind residents that alligators are a common part of Florida's ecosystem and are present in most freshwater bodies. They urge anyone who sees an alligator that appears aggressive or poses an immediate danger to call the FWC's Nuisance Alligator Hotline.
