Mystery Animal Photographed in Texas Woman’s Backyard

A Texas woman is asking folks for help identifying a mystery animal she photographed eating berries in her backyard.

The strange animal was captured on camera in a north-side neighborhood of Hill Country Village.

Tina Kahlig posted images of the creature on social media, where the story has blown up.

"I was inside and I looked out into the yard," Kahlig told KENS 5. "And I saw an animal right here and thought, 'Wow, what is that?'"

She snapped a photo of it eating berries from a bush.

"These are the fruits," said Kahlig, as she pulled berries off a bush, "and they drop on the ground."

She said she posted the images on Nextdoor, where she received a number of replies.

"Chupacabra," she said with a laugh. "Some people think it's a cross between a coyote and a dog."

Some guessed a mountain lion, as local legend has it that an old mountain lion roams Hill Country Village. But, according to city officials, no one has captured an image of it.

"I would love for someone to help me identify it," said Kahlig. "But I just don't have great photos."

KENS 5 took the photos to the San Antonio Zoo, where the director of mammals, Rachel Malstaff, said it is most likely a dog or coyote. Zoo veterinarians, Dr. Rob and Dr. Tarah, said it’s probably a dog with skin issues.