COEUR d'ALENE - They say, it's better not to publish such stuff as not to encourage it.

We agree, mostly.

But at the risk of giving one apparent jokester too much credit, consider this a public service announcement.

Don't fall for it.

One Coeur d'Alene motorist received a parking ticket Monday evening that looked, felt, and seemed like a legit ticket, but upon closer inspection, the yellow citation waiting on his windshield dished out insults instead of a fine.

"Because of your Bull Headed, inconsiderate, feeble attempt at parking, you have taken enough room for a 20 mule team, 2 elephants, 1 goat and a safari of pygmies from the African interior," the parking violation stated.

Shocked upon seeing such scolds waiting on his truck, recipient John Hyland asked the city if the name-calling citation came from them.

It didn't, though it was issued as the truck sat in the city-controlled lot by The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

It dawned on Hyland that Monday was April Fool's Day, and the citation - which was a similar shade of yellow to the real $15 ones - was a gag.

"I sign off wishing you early transmission failure," the notice reads.

But it's not the only one out there.

A few weeks ago, another gag ticket was issued on a car near the Fort Grounds neighborhood downtown. As much as the tickets appear real, the first thing they say before slinging insults is that it is not a real ticket. Still, it looks awfully close to the real thing.

"Somebody got creative," said Troy Tymesen, city finance director and parking liaison.