Possible alligator sighting prompts Saugus search

SAUGUS – The Department of Conservation and Recreation enlisted the help of a reptile specialist Thursday afternoon to help track down a possible alligator that was spotted at Silver Lake at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus on Monday.DCR spokesperson S.J. Port said staff was also using a dog to try and pick up the sent of the alligator, which was spotted near the shoreline.?Alligators will crawl up to the edge of the lake and hang out right in the shallow waters,” said Port. “The dog found no scent. We?re not ruling out an alligator, but at this time we have no confirmation that an alligator is there.”Fortunately for beach-goers, swimming is not allowed at Silver Lake, so Pearce Lake is still open to the public.Reggie Zimmerman, the Assistant Press Secretary for the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, said they received a report on Monday morning, but a search turned up empty.?We got a call at 10 a.m. We responded and officers searched and couldn?t find any signs of the alligator,” said Zimmerman. “Park rangers are searching for it.”Port said she believes the alligator is small and was most likely released into the water by a pet owner who no longer wanted it.This is not the first alligator sighting at Breakheart this summer. Port said the DCR received a report of an alligator about a month ago as well and urged anyone who spots it to call the DCR at 781-233-0834 or (617)626-1250.?If they?re out walking around Breakheart and they feel they see something, they should certainly report it to a ranger,” said Port. “We have staff on duty on-site at all times.”