I just figured is was mostly confined to weird teenagers and maybe troubled adults that never grew up. I never figured it was as extensive as it apparently is. Those stories often struck me as just some bizarre story on a web page put there to fill space or just to attract some attention.

Google "furry news articles" then click on NEWS at the top menu selection line. You'll get over 12,000 hits. Primarily about the Furry community from fairly well-known news sources. Although, with word furry in the search you'll get a smattering of domestic pet stories.

I read all sorts of stuff. Occasionally, as most of us internet types well know, you can get off into various rabbit holes on any site.

I stumbled onto the Furry article by checking out this article:

https://www.realityslaststand.com/p/why-critiquing-crazy-academic-papers

We definitely live in some strange times, and like it or not, the internet facilitates a lot of the strangeness that permeates today's environment. Strange or weird people used to be more confined. Either to themselves or very small local groups. The internet has made it possible for all sorts of people to meet, mingle, and online share their proclivities with the rest of the world.