The Sun Journal had lots of readers speculate on what the animal found in Turner might be. Below are some of those speculations, along with some general characteristics of each animal. You decide.

Turner Beast

The unusual looking black creature found hit by a car in Turner on Aug. 12 smelled very bad and was described by eye-witnesses as half-rodent, half-dog. The animal was charcoal gray, with small ears, an unusually short snout and a bushy tail. There were also curled fangs hanging over its black-blue lips and unusual dewclaws on its front paws. The animal is believed to be the same kind responsible for mauling and killing large domestic dogs in Wales and Greene in recent years.

Weight: 40-50 lbs.

Tasmanian Devil

This Australian native is black and has a squat build with large head and stubby tail. Considered the largest carnivorous marsupial, it can run as fast as 8 mph. A night hunter, this animal can emit an odor – when stressed – that rivals that of a skunk. The devil has the strongest bite of any living mammal and makes what is described as a “disturbing” screech.

Weight: 8 kg

Bush Dog

This Central and South America native, known there as a “vinegar dog” or “mountain dog” is rarely seen. An animal with long brownish-tan fur and a bushy tail, this carnivore is a day-hunter that typically eats rodents. It usually hunts in packs, has webbed toes and is considered a good swimmer.

Weight: 7 kg

Chow Chow

A native to China, this independent-minded dog’s most distinctive feature is a blue-black tongue and nearly straight hind legs, which creates a stilted gait when walking and running. The most common colors are red, black, blue, cinnamon and cream, and the animal has small ears and puff of hair behind the head. It has a broad muzzle, rounded nose and bushy tail. This is a companion dog that becomes intensely loyal to its owner.

Weight: 45 to 70 lbs

Wolf

These pack animals are found across the northern sections of North America and Asia and are the largest known wild canid. The fur is thick and usually gray, but wolves can be white, red, brown or black. Because they pack hunt, they prey on large mammals, but will eat smaller livestock, carrion and garbage.

Weight: 16 to 60 kg

Coydog and Dogote

Most populous in Pennsylvania, coydogs are the offspring of male coyotes and female dogs. The dogote is the offspring of female coyotes and male dogs. In both cases, the offspring are capable of producing their own offspring. These animals are smart, carrying the cunning of coyotes, but are not afraid of humans. They travel in pairs or packs. As adults, these animals are considered dangerous.

Weight: 20 to 30 lbs

Wolverine

A member of the weasel family, this North American native carnivore looks bear-like with short legs. It is well-suited to cold weather and can bite through frozen meat and bone. Its head is wide and rounded, with small eyes and small ears, and its fur is thick and dark brown. Its paws are very large with long claws. This is a shy animal that is rarely seen in the wild.

Weight: 45 lbs

Dingo

Native to Australia, these carnivores are descended from domesticated dogs thousands of years ago. They are desert creatures that live in family groups and hunt in packs. They cannot bark, but do howl. Their ears are permanently erect and their teeth are larger than the teeth in domesticated dogs. They are ginger- or sandy-colored.

Weight: 26 to 43 lbs

* Source: Wikipedia, dogbreedinfo.com, National Audubon Society, International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, dingo.livingin.australia.com and the Wolverine Foundation.