The Devil Dog is a creature similar to the Chupacabra－perhaps the result of interbreeding with a large canine. They are most recognized for their stark white or dirty yellow fur, which is matted, filthy, and thick in the winter; in the spring, they shed their coats, trails of hair making them easier to follow. Tracks are very rare, as the beasts do not like to get wet－avoiding mud, rain, and water sources in general. Nevertheless, they leave three-toed prints that look like a combination of an ave’s and a canine’s. Those who have seen the creature compare them in appearance to wolves; they have been observed not only West Virginia, but also in Virginia and Kentucky. The canines are most actively reported in Logan County. Devil Dogs live in dense forests or remote, mountainous regions near running water, where plenty of game resides. The largest of these beasts have been estimated to be 300 lbs, but on average, they are thought to weigh near 150 lbs; the larger the dog is, the more violent and short-lived they are. With astounding speed, these large cryptids attack, scare off trespassers, and flee from danger. In the past, Devil Dog sightings were believed to be linked to an early death by the Cherokee; superstitious pioneers also thought that seeing them meant someone would die within the week. Regardless if this is true, even when the creatures are not seen, they can be heard far away at night, releasing shrill, chilling screams that resemble that of a shrieking woman－which many also view as a bad omen if heard. During the day, high-pitched yips and barks echo in the woodlands as packs communicate with one another; but, at night, the beast’s eyes glow an eerie red, slit-like iris following its target’s movements, silent as it listens to its brethren for commands, direction. Blood Lapper | Devil Dog Feeding, Hunting, and Pack Habits Devil Dogs are not picky eaters; they hunt deer, rabbits, livestock, fowl, coyotes, pets, and other small, woodland creatures. With hunting methods similar to other pack animals, prey is torn to shreds once caught, and the liver fought over and consumed first; after organs are devoured, the carcass is drained of blood by the hunting party. A pack will hunt several times a day, singling or drawing out one victim at a time; a pack includes 3 - 4 individual dogs led by an alpha male. Alpha males have sole breeding rights, with the position contested each mating season (early spring); the strongest, largest male is always victorious. Females give birth to 2 - 3 pups per litter. Once they reach six months of age, the adolescents leave to find their own pack and mate(s). If several males are born, the alpha may kill all but one. After hunting, if a dog still feels a gnawing hunger, it will go out on a lone hunt, scoring weak, small meals, like mice. When a pack is resting, one member of the group remains awake to scout from a higher elevation－looking for danger or great prey; sometimes scouts can be seen standing up on two legs, getting a better view of what's around them. This behavior may also be seen when the canines are met by a large adversary: each will stand up, their fur standing on end, in an attempt to appear larger and more threatening. When in this position, the dogs can reach 4 - 5.5 ft tall. Those that have seen the Devil Dog in action describe it as being supernaturally fast; in fact, the creature is so swift that it often appears as if it has more than four legs. Today, there are still some trackers not convinced that the Devil Dog is a four-legged, canine cryptid. Additionally, some claim that this animal may adopt stray canines from other species into their pack, though this has not been confirmed.

Noteworthy Anatomy The most striking aspect of a Devil Dog’s anatomy is its tongue. The muscle is 2.2 times the length of its head and is covered in bristles. When lapping up blood, the bristles allow blood to pool between and under the cell’s grooves, pulling much more liquid into the mouth than an average dog’s would. Randomly dispersed throughout the tongue are also sucker-like tubes that repeatedly relax and contract during feeding, siphoning blood through the tongue and into the stomach; these tubes are hard to see with the naked eye, as they have the same bristly texture and are minuscule in size. In addition to their unique tongues, Devil Dogs have several sharp, curved fangs which help it tear and pierce flesh. The dog’s long, bushy tails and elongated toes permit it to stand on the edge of its environment, moving with certainty and balance; the creatures also have excellent senses of smell, hearing, and keen dark vision. The Devil Dog is often confused with the Snarly Yow, as they are both cryptid canines associated with death. Unlike Snarly Yows, Devil Dogs always have physical bodies and do not move like a shadow. Pursuers of Devil Dogs should travel in groups; one should never track them alone or wander away from a group; Devil Dogs are easy to scare off when several humans are present, but will attack if they see a lone individual. Mimicking the sounds of the beast has been a favored lure of trackers, though fresh animal carcasses or bags of blood also show promise. To scare off one of these creatures, loud noise should be made, as well as imposing motions (such as waving arms and jumping); if one is encountered while alone, the individual should not run, as this denotes fear and weakness, An endangered individual should stand their ground, yell, make as much noise as possible, and move around a lot in place; this does not guarantee success, especially if a pack is hunting. The animals can be warded off property by creating giant, bear-like scarecrows that stand guard on the perimeter; though, this only works as long as the objects are not challenged or investigated.