Texas family claim to have killed mythical creature

A photo of what is claimed to be a chupacabra. Photo / YouTube

A family in Texas claim to have shot and killed a chupacabra, a mythical creature with a reputation for sucking blood from live-stock across America.

Doug Ohrt and his wife Lucy said they were at their home in Victoria County ranch on Sunday night when they came face-to-face with the coyote-like animal.

After hearing a 'howl' the couple's grandson ran out and shot the creature from 240 yards, Ms Ohrt told ABC news affiliate KAVU.

When the family ventured outside to take a closer look at the animal, they were certain they had shot the legendary beast.

"My grandkids said: 'Oh that's a chupacabra,'" Ms Ohrt said.

Descriptions of chupacabra sightings have varied, but many who claim to have seen the cryptid say it closely resembles a coyote but with a skinny body covered in matted patches of hair.

The first sightings were reported in Puerto Rico as early as 1995.

Chupacabras have a reputation for sucking the blood from livestock.

"It's usually got long hair on it and this one doesn't and that's what makes it different from a regular coyote," Ms Ohort added. "I've heard people say they've gotten young calves, but they have never gotten any of ours."

But Josh Turner, a wildlife biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife was unconvinced by their claim.

"I've seen squirrels, raccoons and coyotes in this area with the same features", he said.

"They're a mythical creature that most people see, but what it really is sarcoptic mange which is caused by a mite that bites the animal and it can be on any mammal - dogs, cats, coyotes foxes, and humans can get another version of it as well," he explained.

- UK Independent