Since January 1st, there have been at least fifteen reported incidents in Monmouth County of strange hoof-prints on local properties. Experts have described the prints to match those of a "2-limbed donkey."
One must research as far back as January of 1909 to find anything similar to these recent discoveries. With these hoof-prints being found from Atlantic City down to Pennsylvania back then, they were basically written off by the geologist W.S. Reed as "human footprints affected by the elements." We haven't had the snowy and icy weather this year to substantiate this reasoning.
In addition, there have been numerous sightings within the last week of a bizarre kangaroo-like creature sporting the wings of a bat terrorizing livestock on certain farms. While a small group of farmers have reported some of their chickens to be missing, other residents have been baffled by an occasional shrieking sound. Could the infamous resident of Leeds Point be looking for a place to stay in Monmouth County? It has been rumored that the Jersey Devil is upset with recent attempts to build up the area around his home. Having been in existence since the 1700s, it is also possible that he doesn't approve of the direction that the state of New Jersey appears to be headed in.
A frequent traveler (or at least he used to be until he dropped out of sight), the Jersey Devil could be trying to express outrage over the proposed plan to fine drivers who don't have exact change for unmanned toll lanes. Growing up near the Atlantic City Expressway, this legendary creature understands what it's like to approach the Garden State Parkway without the proper change.
It is also possible that he just wants to enter the record books as the first creature spotted in the new millennium. Having a history of making his presence known and then dropping out of sight, the start of the year 2000 is a perfect time for him to make his presence known.
Whether he is the cursed thirteenth child that some believe, a curse of a gypsy or an act of treason, he is definitely exploring the wooded areas of Monmouth County. The sightings have confirmed past descriptions of this elusive local deformity. Having the face of a horse, his head appears to have the features of a dog. Hearing the stories of the return of the creature with the forked tail, many older members of the community now believe that earlier reports of his death have obviously been concocted to avoid the formation of additional posses. After all, he has been exorcised, shot and electrocuted in the past.
While there is no need for mass hysteria at this time, efforts are being made to confirm that these incidents are related to our famous son of the Pine Barrens. Farmers are being audited in regards to their methods of raising plump chickens. Hopefully, none of them have become involved with genetic experiments. There will be stiff penalties if this turns out to be true, even stiffer than the one for not having exact change.
{Reprinted from FRED's Papers' January 13, 2000 issue. Story reported by me and published by Jersey Shore Publication.}