Odd creature, killed in East Texas, identifiedhttp://www.countryworldnews.com/Editorial/ETX/2004/et102804Creature.htm By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition
Oct. 28, 2004 - An odd creature found in Pollack earlier this month has now been identified.
The animal was shot after running under a house in the Angelina County town of Pollack. According to the East Texas paper that originally covered the story, the couple who owned the house called their daughter, Stacy Womack, to identify the animal. Womack, who has been said to have some veterinarian experience, went to take pictures of the fatally-wounded animal.
The animal was described as having an almost blue-like skin, a noticeable overbite, poorly structured hind legs that are longer than the front legs, thick claw-like nails, and as having virtually no hair on its body. The bone structure was similar to that of a dog and several reports indicated the weight to be around 20 pounds.
This creature was believed by many in local reports to be the same type of "beast" killed earlier this year near San Antonio.
Immediate reports indicated the animal could be a coyote or even some type of mythical animal.
Several super-natural oriented websites are now featuring pictures and links to information about the creature. Local agencies have been flooded with reports of "mystery beast" sightings.
Without seeing pictures, some veterinarians assumed the animal was a coyote or dog with mange. Others who were not identified by name said the animal could be a Mexican chupacabra, an animal believed to roam rural lands eating livestock. One person, identified only as "one area hunting guide," believed the animal could be a muntjac, a deer-like animal. Unlike the animal found in Pollack, the muntjac has split-hooves and is an herbivore.
Womack was quoted in the East Texas paper as saying, "It's not a dog, I'd bet my lottery ticket on that."
According to several experts, the animal is of the Canidae family (the same as any household or wild dog).
"All wildlife experts seem to believe it's a coyote with mange," said Capt. Donnie Puckett of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
Puckett also indicated the earlier stories were exaggerated when they quoted that one game warden was "totally freaked out."
"We had some real interesting topics," said Cary Sims, the Texas Cooperative Extension agent of agriculture in Angelina County. "It was just blown out of proportion."
Dr. James Wright of the Texas Department State Health Services Zoonosis Control Division in Tyler explained the grotesque features of the coyote.
"The animal was suffering from poor nutrition. It did not run off those nails like a healthy animal would. I've seen dogs with nails that long," said Wright, who added that the extraordinary overbite was probably the result of a genetic malformation.
The lack of hair on the animal's body has been repeatedly accredited to mange. Wright explained that mange is a condition caused by mites. According to Wright, there are two types of mange that the coyote could possibly have had: Sarcoptic and Demodectic.
Sarcoptic mange is caused by the Sarcoptes scabei mite. The condition is most commonly known as scabies. The female mite burrows under the skin and moves about laying eggs. When the eggs hatch they move to the surface of the skin for breeding, the prescence of the mites and their eggs will cause skin irritation that will provoke the animal to scratch vigorously. This type of mite can be spread to other animals and humans, but is treatable.
Demodectic mange is caused by the Demodex canis mite. This mite is spread only from mothers to their puppies in the first stages of life. Once the animal ages, it cannot contract the demodex mites. These mites burrow deep into the hair follicle and hair will not grow, or will fall out. Severe itching will not occur from demodex mite exposure. All dogs are believed to have a level of demodex mites in their skin, but most never develop Demodectic mange. Some animals may be genetically predisposed for the condition according to Wright, or may possess an immune system deffiencey that allows the mites to flourish.
Wright believed that because the condition was so severe, the coyote most likely had Demodectic mange, because the animal's skin was not scratched away.
As it turns out, the commotion surrounding the mystery beast can now be accredited to a sickly coyote.
"The real story here is how excited people got over a coyote with mange," said Dr. Wright.
