Looks like a mangy dog.
Posted on 05/02/2005 10:58:08 PM PDT by Beowulf9
A rancher in Elmendorf, southeast of San Antonio, found a strange creature attacking his livestock, and local animal experts say identifying it is a tough call.
Devin Macanally says he has lived on his ranch for 15 years and has never seen anything like it.
"It was eating mulberrys under a tree," he said.
It is a strange dog-looking creature with a blue color that he says began a killing spree. Devin first knew something was up when his chickens started disappearing. At one point, 35 were gone in just one day.
Macanally finally shot and killed the creature, and he was blown away at what he saw.
"First thing that came to my mind, is surely everybody's gonna think this is a chupacabra," he laughed. "But it's so odd because it has no hair."
At the nearby Deleon's Grocery and Market, customers come in to check out pictures of it. One woman says it is exactly how her grandmother described the dreaded chupacabra.
People at the San Antonio Zoo say they have not seen anything like it. Terry DeRosa with the zoo says at a feather-light 20 pounds, he thinks it might be a wild mexican dog.
"It may be one of the hairless dogs that perhaps you see in Mexico," he said.
Devin says he would like to know for sure. He says he is hoping someone can help identify it, possibly by DNA.
The great debate continues over a strange animal shot and killed by a farmer in Elmendorf. A San Antonio hunting guide says he has the answer.
The animal found in Elmendorf has fangs and is somewhat blue in color. It's hairless except for a strip going down its back, so some say it possibly suffered from some kind of mange. Rancher Devin Macanally says the animal had attacked dozens of his chickens.
Some experts believe it's a sort of wild Mexican dog.
But hunting guide E.T. Hughey says he's sure it's a Muntjac (MOONT-jac) deer -- a small antelope-type animal.
He says some South Texas ranchers import them, and turn them loose on their property.
But others have speculated that the "Elmendorf beast" is some kind of canine. Still others believe it's the chupacabra -- an animal of Mexican folklore, said to kill farm animals.
We here at News 4 WOAI have done a little digging around on the world wide web, and have uncovered some interesting facts.
According to the Rolling Hills Zoo in Kansas, "as Muntjacs mature, the upper canine teeth are elongated into 'tusks' that curve outward from the lips." Also, "Muntjac deer are sometimes known as the 'barking deer' because they will emit a barking sound to warn others of predators and to identify individuals." Some interesting canine comparisons.
Concerning the dead chickens at the Elmendorf farm, Muntjac deer are actually herbivores. But remember, Mcanally says he found the creature eating mulberries. And a British web site says the deer are very territorial, using their canine "tusk" teeth on intruders, to inflict "serious injuries... to their flanks, neck and ears." Perceived chicken intruders, perhaps?
But there are some questions to ask about the deer theory. On the web sites we searched, the pictures of Muntjac deer don't indicate a long tail. The pictures from Elmendorf show that creature's tail is quite long, almost rat-like. Also, Muntjacs, just like other deer, have split hoofs. It's hard to tell from the pictures if our strange animal had hooves, or some kind of paw. We haven't gotten a chance to ask Mcanally yet.
Of course all of these are just theories at this point. No one has done any testing on the "Elmendorf beast."
Forgot to mention, the site has pictures of it.
Looks like a mangy dog.
"I'm setting up a special line tonight only for evil, hairless dogs. West of the Rockies, you're on the air!"
I just rechecked this story and it was back in August of 2004 when this occurred. In fact it was even on this forum before, oops. Sorry.
Sheesh, love the headlines on the website:
Parents in Jail Accused of Abusing Baby
Robert Horry Nearly Kills Tim Duncan
Suspicious Fire Tears Through Family's Home
Good Samaritan Shot in Face
...Seems there's a LOT more to worry about in San Antone than chupacabras!
Did I skeer ya?.....:)
Coyote with sarcoptic mange (photo):
http://www.iowadeer.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=coyotes;action=display;num=1073598310
LOL! Not all is what the tourist board makes it out to be in San Antone.
Hey, thanks for posting the chup's pictures, AND my fav pic of Art, that one slays me everytime.
Nothing runs like a Deere.
Sounds like Butch Rhino..
I used to live close to there, near Stinson Field. I am in a different locale now in central TX, and I once saw a really strange looking animal in my back yard, a few times, and finally decided that it was a hairless coyote. Really strange looking animal, looked almost like a small deer. I now have coyotes very often.
Exactly right.
Chupacabra ping!
Mexican sewer rat.
It's a fish!
http://www.positiveliberty.com/2004/06/wheat-cakes-renaissance-popes-and.html
"In the regions along the Paraná river in Southern Brazil, Northern Argentina, and Uruguay, capybaras are frequently captured and kept as pets, or occasionally hunted for food. The flesh is described as tasting like swine and has a whitish appearance similar to pork.
"Venezuelan farmers make a valuable addition to their incomes by selling capybara meat (approximately 400 tons annually). The rodents are rounded up in February so that they can be slaughtered and sold just before the onset of Lent, when the meat is in high demand.
"This popular custom is attributed to a curious theological decision by the Catholic Church. When European missionaries first met capybaras in South America during the 16th century, they wrote to Rome for guidance, saying "there is an animal here that is scaly but also hairy, and spends time in the water but occasionally comes on land; can we classify it as a fish?" The question was significant, as the Catholic faith then forbade eating meat (other than fish) during Lent, the period of abstinence lasting 40 days before Easter. Having a second-hand description of the animal, and not wanting the petitioners to turn away from Catholicism, the Church agreed and declared the capybara a FISH — a decision that was never reversed."
Doctrine is indeed amazing.
ROTFLMAO
These critters have to be parboiled in salt water. Drain and return to pot with fresh water, garlic and onions. Simmer for about 4 hours or till tender. Serve with beans and rice.
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