A mythical blood-sucking creature called the Chupacabra is believed to have savaged sheep on a Mexican ranch.

Worried farmers have reported a spate of deadly attacks on livestock at night since Christmas day at the Santa Lucia ranch in the municipality of Medellin de Bravo in Veracruz.

Vets have ruled out any natural known predator for the deaths of 18 sheep over because the bite marks were not consistent with those of a coyote, bat, dog, lynx or any other found in the region.

It is not thought to be a case of cruel thieves either as farmers have reported none of their animals missing.

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