Family claims chupacabra sighting

POLK CITY - There have been reports of sightings all over the world: fanged creatures that appear out of nowhere and kill livestock. They are the infamous chupacabras , and although biologists doubt their existence, a Polk County family suspects they may have just shot one.

The Fusells were hunting on their 2,500-acre property in Polk City at Christmas when they saw something strange. At first, they thought it was a monkey, because it was in a tree.

On second thought, they figured out that it wasn't.

To get a better look, S.L. Fussell shot it. They have been keeping it frozen ever since. A second critter, which may be the creature's mate, took off into the woods.

"I seriously believe it might be a chupacabra," said Paul Fussell. "But you can't say until you have some proof."

"Chupacabra" means "goat sucker" in Spanish. Legend says that chupacabras attack livestock and suck their blood until they're dead. There have reported sightings in places as varied as South America, Mexico, and Texas.

The Fussell family is stymied by what they now have: a nearly hairless creature with a long snout, spindly legs and hand-like claws.

Florida Fish and Wildlide biologists say it is a rare breed of dog called a Peruvian Inca Orchid.

Dwight Fussell, S.L.'s brother, thinks the scientists are wrong.

"It ain't got no feet like a dog," he said.

Other than this one, one of the most recent chupacabra sightings was in the Dallas area . Some biologists there thought it was a fox with mange.