Phylis Canion, a nutritional doctor and hunting enthusiast from Cuero, Texas, claims to have discovered the remains of three chupacabras, the “goatsuckers” of Mexican and American urban legend. In July, over a period of four days, Canion found three roadkill carcasses of what look like big, ugly dogs. Weighing in at about 40 pounds, these beasts have gray-blue, hairless skin.

Canion, who describes her find as “one ugly creature,” is saving the severed head of one for DNA tests and later mounting. “I think it could have wolf in it,” Canion told the Associated Press. “It has to be a cross between two or three different things.” She also may just hold a grudge: she claims that 26 of her chickens have been mysteriously killed, blood drained from their bodies.

According to local veterinarian Travis Schaar, through, the so-called chupacabra is probably just an ugly dog, possibly from a mutated litter. “I’m not going to tell you that’s not a chupacabra. I just think in my opinion a chupacabra is a dog,” said Schaar, who apparently didn’t want to step on the toes of the powerful local chupacabra lobby, which is busy selling T-shirts reading “2007, The Summer of the Chupacabra, Cuero, Texas” worldwide.

He just wants to snuggle! (Photo courtesy of Phylis Canion.)

As for the bloodless chickens, Schaar’s best theory is that some dogs may enjoy biting their prey so it bleeds on the ground, then lapping up the blood. But hey, if that’s the legitimate theory of a skeptical doctor, I’m content.

To get your own Cuero Chupacabra T-shirt, hit up Chupacabra Headquarters.

What are those goats so afraid of? (Photo courtesy of Phylis Canion.)