Mysterious Dog-Like Creature Shot And Killed

KLTV ^ | 1/18/2006 | KLTV

[Dallas59]

Over the last few years we've shown you pictures of a mysterious dog-like creature found in East Texas' woods.

This weekend, two brothers were out hunting squirrels when they were surprised by a very similar animal. The brothers shot it and killed it. It has leathery skin, long teeth, and hind legs longer than its front legs. One of the brothers, Kolby Russell, said this isn't his first run in with the creature.

"I had chased it a couple times earlier, about a month ago, and my friends didn't believe me. I finally showed them and they did."

So is it just a mangy dog?

"I've seen mange before and he has a body kind of built like a coyote, but he's real skinny", says the other brother, Coty Russell.

In the past, East Texans have e-mailed us that similar creatures were just dogs with mange, a coyote crossbreed, or the mythical Mexican creature, the Chupacabra.

The creature has been handed over to Angelina County authorities who are going to determine what to do with it next.

[Dallas59]

What is El Chupacabra? El Chupacabra - Means "the goat sucker" in Spanish. Named because of the way it sucked all the blood from Puerto Rican goats, the Chupacabra has been leaving fear in its tracks for many years now. First spotted in Puerto Rico in 1994, the Chupacabra has since migrated off the island and has recently been spotted in many locations including South America as well as the US. Although it was named because of its choice of goat-blood as a meal, the Chupacabra has reportedly attacked and devoured the blood of a wide variety of animals including dogs and sheep. As far as we know, there have yet to be any human fatalities. Due to the distinct technique the strange animal has of killing its prey, it is very easy to tell if the Chupacabra was involved in an animals death. Animals are found with puncture wounds in their neck and most of their blood removed. Often, the victim's organs have disappeared even though the only wound is a small hole in the animal's neck. Reports of laser-like cuts on the victim's ears are also common. Although some people say they have seen the Chupacabra's tracks, in many cases there are no signs of blood or tracks around the dead animals

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[Dallas59]

What is El Chupacabra? El Chupacabra - Means "the goat sucker" in Spanish. Named because of the way it sucked all the blood from Puerto Rican goats, the Chupacabra has been leaving fear in its tracks for many years now. First spotted in Puerto Rico in 1994, the Chupacabra has since migrated off the island and has recently been spotted in many locations including South America as well as the US. Although it was named because of its choice of goat-blood as a meal, the Chupacabra has reportedly attacked and devoured the blood of a wide variety of animals including dogs and sheep. As far as we know, there have yet to be any human fatalities. Due to the distinct technique the strange animal has of killing its prey, it is very easy to tell if the Chupacabra was involved in an animals death. Animals are found with puncture wounds in their neck and most of their blood removed. Often, the victim's organs have disappeared even though the only wound is a small hole in the animal's neck. Reports of laser-like cuts on the victim's ears are also common. Although some people say they have seen the Chupacabra's tracks, in many cases there are no signs of blood or tracks around the dead animals

.

[A CA Guy]

If this were 8 feet tall I would have guessed Janet Reno.

[Swordmaker]

I would suggest a necropsy to the authorities that are going to "determine what to do next".

I think it would be the next step in determining what it is... mangy greyhound or cross-breed Mexican hairless/coyote.

[mmercier]

Looks like an African wild dog, or maybe a dingo.

[Jaysun]

Some people are calling it a "Chupacabra", but I think that's a mythical ape like creature from Mexico. Looks like a mix between a dog and a coyote to me.

[mmercier]

It is an African Wild, not a bald dingo.

They bite.

[mmercier]

http://www.honoluluzoo.org/african_hunting_dog.htm

[mmercier]

The hump spine above the hip to the chest cavity indicates it is a wild animal, the round ears and mottled color give it away as African. If it has a black line down the center of the head it is assuredly an African or offshoot.

They are carnivorous hunters and do not scavenge carrion.

[normy]

I saw one of these, or something similar crossing my yard in Plano, a suburb of Dallas pop.200,000+. I was out in the yard with my kids when this thing crossed the street and was crossing between my house and my neighbors. It stepped and stared at me and my kids.

My first thoughts was that it was a dingo and I knew they would bite without warning so I just stood and kept eye contact. It appeared to have a broken front paw and looked really pathetic.

My neighbor came out and the thing walked off. I told him to call animal control because there was a mangy coyote or dingo or something roaming around. They informed him it was a coyote and that they had a pet name for it and could never catch it.

I have seen coyotes, even ones roaming the suburbs, but never one that looked like this thing.

[Maximus of Texas]

"The creature has been handed over to Angelina County authorities who are going to determine what to do with it next"

I betcha it was served up with some fava beans and a nice chianti.

.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Looks a bit like a Basenji.

Bite your tongue!

[ToddBush]

That thing looks like it needs more cowbell.

Shouldn't someone maybe call a university or scientist?

[RMDupree]

I'd say your guess was the closest to being correct.

[RouxStir]

"Coyote with mange"

At that point it might be called "mange with a coyote attached."

[Maximus of Texas]

"Shouldn't someone maybe call a university or scientist?"

This is in East Texas. The nearest university is Texas A&M. 'Nuff said.

I keep forgetting to add you to my ping list. I've done it now but go check out my last post on Wednesday's thread.

[ToddBush]

Oh. Good point. I didn't think of that. Oh well.

This 'thing' still needs:

[CaliGirlGodHelpMe]

OOh, pretty dog. Consider my tongue bitten!

[:^)

[Gamera977]

Mysterious Dog-Like Creature eh???

Sounds like my ex-girlfriend.....

[Tijeras_Slim]

I've got two of them, they're very cool.