Attacked by a strange animal?

[Olly]

Has anyone here been attacked by a strange animal. This story made me feel uneasy last night.

A mysterious "animal" with the shape of a dog with two legs and hands with long nails attacked a woman in Bangwe in the early hours of Wednesday. Speaking at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) where she was receiving treatment, Margret Landani, 31, who seemed to be great pain, said the "animal" hit her hard on her left ribs. "I felt something scratching my toes at round 2.00 am. I took it lightly because I thought it was a rat. A moment later my blanket was pulled off. I then woke up only to see the whole house in bright light," recalled Landani, tears registering in her eyes. When she asked who it was, the "animal" did not answer. Shedecided to kick the attacker with her leg but "the animal" hit her back on the ribs, causing severe pain that forced her shout for help.

"Immediately after I shouted, I saw what it was...A dog-like animal, with two legs and hands that had very long nails. Its mouth was also long. It had a hairy, big body with a lot of spots. "With a lot of force and noise it disappeared through my window," said Landani with difficulties, adding that her door and window had been tightly locked before she slept.She said doctors told her that she was not badly injured and she would return home yesterday. Chief hospital administrator for QECH Thom Chisale said they could not divulge information on the woman, saying medical reports are confidential.Landani said she was with her two children in the house, while her husband, a watchman, was at work. She also claimed that a man and two other children in the area had also been attacked by a similar animal.Her landlord, a Mrs. Chinguwo, who was woken up by Landani's shout for help, said the neighbourhood was engulfed in fear following the attack. "We just heard the shouting. I woke up at 2.05 am. We rushed to see what was happening with her, that is when she narrated the whole story to us. We slept in her house in case the animal returned...In the morning she looked very weak.

I don't live anywhere near Bangwe but I know these things can travel. Years ago there was a puma spotted in Ballycastle then in Ballymena, 15 minutes apart. Only 2 ways he could have done that - ran like mad or got a bus and both scare the life out of me.

[Bingo]

by the sounds of it, it was a Gruffalo.