

What animal have Riverside residents been seeing ? Image Credit: sxc.hu

Alleged sightings of the cryptozoological creature have sparked concerns over the safety of local pets.

Cary Shuker, a resident of Riverside, Southern California, had been outside near his home when he encountered a strange creature that he described as "two feet longer than the largest coyote you've ever seen" with a tail similar to that of a rat.After being shooed away, the mystery denizen reportedly turned around and snarled."It was cussing me out, basically," said Shuker. "I stole its breakfast. It was hunting my cat."So far three people in the same area have reported sightings of the creature, however cryptozoologist Loren Coleman, who has been investigating reports of mysterious creatures for years, believes that it is far more likely to have been a coyote with mange than the legendary Chupacabra."DNA results prove these are 100 percent canid, usually with mange," he said. "People label dog-like cryptic beasts 'Chupacabras' because they love mysteries, and it's the hip thing to do."A local news report featuring an interview with Shuker about his sighting can be viewed below.