NEW ALBION – A New Albion man found an old military artillery shell while digging around his home on Wednesday.

Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s deputies spoke with Peter Guadagno, who owns a home on Route 353 in New Albion, who told deputies he found what appeared to be an old military artillery shell that was about 3 inches in diameter and 10 inches long. The Chautauqua County Regional Bomb Squad responded to the location, secured the shell and safely took it out of the area. Followup investigation with the U.S. Air Force Explosives Ordinance Disposal Team concluded the shell was an inert practice round and did not present any danger.

In a news release, the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Dept. reminded area residents to call 911 if they come across any military ordinance such as old grenades, artillery shells or other suspicious items that could be explosive. Such items should not be disturbed.