DeWITT COUNTY, Texas -- The legend of the chupacabra gained new life over the weekend as two DeWitt County sheriff's deputies spotted what they said they believe is the mythical creature.

Friday, Cpl. Brandon Riedel was training a new deputy when he said they saw the animal running down a dirt path along fence lines.

"You need to record something like this because it's not everyday you find something that looks like this running around out in the middle of the county," he said.

The short-legged, hairless animal has a long snout that looks like a coyote, but Riedel said he isn't convinced.

"You know, it's just kind of one of those things to hear about and talk about, but to actually see something on video that may actually be a live one, that's pretty amazing," DeWitt County Sheriff Jode Zavesky said.

Friday's sighting isn't the first time a local believes they've seen the mythical animal. A rancher in 2007 found a dead animal that was thought to be a chupacabra, but one resident said whether or not it's true, it can only benefit the community.

"It's like every good urban legend," Erik McCowan said. "Maybe it's better to just think it is the chupacabra and just leave it at that."