UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - A section of Genesee Street was closed off Monday, as a bomb-sniffing dog was called in to investigate a suspicious package.

For nearly two hours, Genesee Street, from Elizabeth to Bleecker Streets, was shut down and the Adirondack building was closed off, because someone left an unattended black case in front of the building.

According to Utica Police, it is unknown who left the black case right at the doorstep of the Adirondack Bank entrance.

Because of that, the police were notified and the package was ruled suspicious.

A bomb sniffing dog from the Oneida County Sheriff's Office was called in. The dog sniffed the perimeter surrounding the bank, and then the package itself.

The owner of the dog - an Oneida County Sheriff's deputy - gave the thumbs up that the package did not contain anything explosive.

Despite that the case remained in front of the building until the HAZMAT team could come in and put it safely into a container, and take it away to be evaluated.

Utica's Public Safety Commissioner says what went on was standard protocol to ensure the safety of everyone.

"As far as on this type of incident...because no one was around and they just found it, you have to take those precaution measures," LaBella said. "Is it standard police work? Yes, at this time it is pretty standard on what we are implementing as far as safety."

After the case was put into a sealed container, the Utica Fire Department took it to the Mohawk Street Fire Station to have it tested.

LaBella confirmed the case was empty, and it turned out to be an old camera case.

LaBella went onto say in these situations to have to always err on the side of precaution and assume the package - or in this case, the case, contained something explosive.

LaBella said the investigation into who left the case is still ongoing.