What WAS that thing??

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

Yesterday morning DH and I were out walking the dog just after sunrise. The dog went snuffling around a pile of deadfall. The dog is about 50 pounds border collie lab mix. She's small but very very fast. We clocked her at a steady 22 miles an hour for over a mile.
Having said that, most things she chases, she catches! She doesn't know what to do with them and after tackling them just sits back like "OK you're it!"

So suddenly a black streak came shooting out of the deadfall and took off. I assumed it was her until she came after! It was all black, too big to be a cat, too black and fast for a gopher, not a raccoon, nor a skunk. I've never seen a fully black fox. Could it have been? It was FAST! She chased it off our property and let off the chase. (Good dog.)

There are no bobcats etc where we live that I know of......

What WAS that thing?!

 

[I*Eat*Chickens*Yum]

could have been a bear. could have been a fisher. Or a gray fox ? I have seen Gray Foxes that were nearly black.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was a small bear.

 

[Hobbley_Farm]

I didn[t think bears could run that fast for any distance at all. Well...bigger bears, but a small one?

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

BEAR!!????? Here!? OMG!

What would it be doing so far into developed areas at this time of year? This isn't mating season for them is it???

 

[Hobbley_Farm]

maybe it was a chupacabra

 

[MagsC]

Fisher cat....

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

Exactly what IS a fisher cat and do they live in PA?

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:

Not sure of how to explain what a fisher is, but you can google it. I believe there are some videos on youtube.

 

[amazondoc]

I'd bet on fisher or mink. A fisher is a giant mink, more or less. Long and dark brown or black, VERY fast.

 

[silkieluver_07]

Black bears are fairly common in PA. Could have been a young cub passing through.