(Aurora, Ind.) - Aurora Police say there’s no credible information they’ve been able to find about stray cats being poisoned and dying at Lesko Park.

A television news report aired Tuesday telling the story about how visitors to the park began noticing an unusual number of dead cats there – possibly because they were being poisoned. Aurora police were called to investigate Tuesday.

Today, Aurora Chief of Police Bryan Fields said in a news release that the issue of the dead cats has been determined to be unfounded.

“After speaking with several people, including the Parks Department, Utilities, and several citizens who walk the park everyday, there has been no evidence or credible information to suggest that cats have been poisoned, nor have any dead cats been found.  There have been reports of cats found dead along State Route 56 from being struck by vehicles,” Fields said.

The Aurora Parks Department searched trash cans at Lesko Park but found no anti-freeze, bleach, or ammonia that could have been used for poisoning.

Because a numerous large bags of cat food and paper plates have been found at the park near the river, Fields says it is now a littering issue.

“It is considered littering to leave food, paper plates, and cat food bags in the park and the Aurora Police Department will strictly and aggressively issue citations to anyone leaving refuse in the parks.  Littering is a class b infraction with a maximum fine of $1,000.00,” he said.

The chief said two people were asked to stop feeding the cats as police were there investigating this morning. It was unclear if they were fined.

Meanwhile, the City of Aurora is now working with the Dearborn County Animal Shelter to have the cats removed from the park and stop the infestation.

“Our children can’t even go to the park and enjoy themselves because of cat feces in and around the playground equipment.  Citizens find it difficult to go to the park and have lunch due to being swarmed by feral cats, which can carry disease. People from other communities come to Aurora and feed these cats and cause a problem for us to deal with,” said Fields.