Superstition Wins Out Over Common Sense

Urban legends have existed and will continue to exist no matter the intelligence or common sense of most people. All over the world, people have claimed to have seen Big Foot, the Abominable Snowman, the Loch Ness monster, and many other unproven, mythical creatures. In south Texas, we have the legend of the Chupacabra!

Last Friday, August 8th, 2008, according to KSAT 12 News, Cpl. Brandon Reidel of the DeWitt County Sheriff's department was training a new deputy when he says he caught sight of a creature he believes to be the mythical Chupacabra running along a dirt path. He says the creature was hairless, with short, stubby legs and a long snout like that of a coyote. He took a picture of the creature as proof of what he and his trainee saw. He stated that wasn't convinced the animal was actually a coyote, possibly a hairless variety. For full story with details, go to ksat.com.

The legend of the Chupacabra (the name translates into "goat sucker")goes back to the early 90's when farmers found many dead goats on their properties. The goats were all drained dry of their blood and in some instances; vital organs were removed from the goats' bodies. Many have speculated that he Chupacabra is from another time or dimension, some saying it is a half man, half beast-like vampire, while others insist it hops like a kangaroo and smells of sulfuric. Yet others describe the animal as similar to a panther with red, glowing eyes and a tongue like a snake. Whatever the incarnation, the myth of the Chupacabra remains firmly entrenched in Hispanic culture. Many mothers tell their children that if they misbehave, the Chupacabra will come in the night and take them away!

In 2004-2005, loss of livestock in Elmendorf, and Lufkin, Texas led to reports of sightings of the Chupacabra. These sighting led to shootings of a few wild animals, one of which was sent to a lab for DNA testing, revealing that is was merely a Xolo; a bluish-gray, hairless variety of dog. However, all this time later, the creature is still referred to as the "Elmendorf Creature" and residents are widely convinced it is the mythical Chupacabra.

Despite there being no actual evidence ever, a proven picture of an undocumented species, fossils, anything, Hispanics in Mexico, and south Texas still believe in the urban legend of the Chupacabra. Every Halloween, a new sighting or tale makes its way onto the local news stations to stir up fear (or anticipation for the myth chasers). I see it as a story right up there with sightings of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. It's fun. It's entertaining, but it's just another urban legend we tell our kids and ourselves to step outside of reality for just one little moment and feel like a kid again. Did I mention October is just around the corner? So if your goat turns up sucked dry, don't say I didn't at least give you a plausible reason!