DNA test absolves Lizard Man of attack

DNA testing has shown an attack on a family van some blamed on the legendary Lizard Man appears to have been actually done by a domestic dog.

Something chewed up the front fender of Bob and Dixie Rawson’s van in February. Bite marks were left on the wheel wells, and blood was found on the vehicle.

A veterinary lab in California tested the blood and found it came from a dog, The (Sumter) Item reported.

But Bob Rawson isn’t sure, saying it would have to be one big dog.

Lee County Sheriff E.J. Melvin isn’t convinced, either. He thinks it was a coyote or wolf.

Lizard Man became a phenomenon in the area 20 years ago when people began reporting a tall, big-eyed swamp creature. Authorities never figured out exactly what prompted the sightings.

Contributing: Staff writers Ishmael Tate and Sammy Fretwell; The Associated Press