A Huntsville man’s dog was reportedly eaten by an 15-foot alligator in the Hays Farm area.

WAFF is reporting the incident happened within walking distance of Grissom High School. The father told the station the dog was taken by the alligator while his two sons were outside with the family’s golden retriever.

According to the man, he and his family have only lived in the area for three months.

Reactions on social media ranged from skeptical to amused.

Monte Shearer on Facebook wrote, “Okay this is the ponds around Jackson Bend Drive. I’m sorry swamp water turned into ponds…. 15 Feet!? I’ve heard that from a guy before. If there’s a 15′ alligator I guess we will see soon. Please leash your dogs and explain to your children . (Ain’t no way it’s that big)”

Julie Carpenter wrote that when she moved to Huntsville, she didn’t know to “watch out for alligators.”

“But we do,” Carpenter wrote. “And I don’t think they’re going anywhere so we’re just going to have to ask our friends in Florida how to deal with them.”

Nolan Renfro doubted a “manhunt” would eradicate alligators in the area.

“Once this one is ‘gone’ another gonna take his place how about keep your dog away from the water when you KNOW there’s a damn gator in it if you live in Huntsville and don’t know we have gators by now whatever happens is on YOU,” Renfro said.

Alligator sightings in Madison County have been on the rise in recent years, and Hays Farm in particular, with many in the surrounding area documented on social media. In May, Madison police responded to reports of a 6-foot alligator off Zierdt Road lounging in front of the brick sign for the Mountain Brook subdivision. The gator was later transported to a less populated area.

According to Outdoor Alabama, the American alligator is the only species of alligator in Alabama, and its population is typically larger in the southern half of the state, in wetlands and natural lakes. But sightings in the northern half of Alabama are increasing, and may indicate a northern expansion, the site says.

Alligator hunting season is limited to five zones in south Alabama.