Legend sticks of a beast that sucks goats' blood

There is no real evidence of El Chupacabra, and most sightings have been debunked and attributed to other animals. However, the myth continues to intrigue people across the world

- Janine Ryan

Perhaps one of the best-known myths to have survived over the decades is the story of El Chupacabra, which translates as “goat sucker” in Spanish. The legend began in the 1970s in South America, and eventually spread throughout Latin America, parts of the US and as far abroad as India.

In 1975, a series of livestock killings in the town of Moca, Puerto Rico, was attributed to el vampiro de Moca (the vampire of Moca). Initially, it was suspected that the killings were committed by a Satanic cult; later more killings were reported around the island, and many farms reported loss of animal life. Each of the animals was reported to have had its body bled dry through a series of small circular incisions.

The first sighting of El Chupacabra was reported in March 1995, when eight sheep were found dead in Moca. They had also been exsanguinated, and appeared to have puncture wounds to their throats (some sources say that the puncture wounds were to their abdomens). A few months later, in August, an eyewitness named Madelyne Tolentino reported seeing the creature in the Puerto Rican town of Canóvanas, where as many as 150 farm animals and pets were reportedly killed. Witnesses allegedly claimed they had seen a strange, doglike creature following the attack.

In the weeks that followed, more sightings of a dog-like creature were reported, and local media began to cover the story. Witnesses described it as dog-like, with spines or quills down its back and large glowing red eyes. It was said to be responsible for killing livestock and pets, and many people feared for their safety.