Cryptozoology: Chupacabra Killed in Texas?

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Has the legendary, blood-sucking monster, El Chupacabra, been shot and killed in Texas? The Discovery Channel’s description of Chupacabra:

Mysterious animal deaths sparked mass hysteria on the small island of Puerto Rico. In 1992, Puerto Rican newspapers reported a series of strange killings had taken place, of a variety of animals including birds, horses and especially goats. The killings occurred around the village of Moca, and the local people believed a mythical creature called El Vampiro de Moca was responsible.

Over a period of six months the slaughter became more widespread, causing mass panic and hysteria. Researchers coined the term “Chupacabra” meaning “Goatsucker” in Spanish. The name related to the puncture wounds and lack of blood found on the victims. The reports of Chupacabra activity then began to spread into the Americas and for the last decade sightings have been reported as far north as Carolina, USA and as far south as Chile.

The Chupacabra grew from a village vampire to an international phenomenon. El Chupacabra became a merchandising dream with t-shirts, toys and even a song being produced. By the end of the 1990s the hysteria died away and less sightings were reported.

Unexplained animal killings still continue on Puerto Rico and the locals are left with a real mystery to whom or what is killing their animals.

Sightings and video of the alleged creature continue. As the new video above indicates, some residents of Texas think the creature has been killed in their neighborhood, even while animal control offers are skeptical, yet open minded. The animals in the new video and photograph look similar to animals on videotape from Texas in the past (see below). As officials await DNA testing on what appears to be at least a diseased or mutant form of dog, our continued fascination with monsters and cryptozoology is evident. And for someone like me who has a lifelong interest in cryptozoology, and who has a personality that is a combination of The X-Files‘ Mulder with a little bit of Scully’s skepticism, this is intriguing, even if in all likelihood it is not the legendary beast.