It comes in response to reports of a ‘lion-like animal’ seen in the woods
The large animal walking through the forest(Image: John O’Reilly)
Gardai have set the record straight over reports of a “lion” spotted roaming the woods near a west of Ireland village.
As it turns out, it was a friendly dog named Mouse that had quite a few people in Co Clare convinced they had seen a full-grown African lion running through the local woods.
Over the weekend, we reported on the intriguing case of a lorry driver who captured footage of a ‘lion-like animal’ spotted in a woodland area at Mount Shannon in Co Clare.
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Despite several reported sightings and claims that the video was ‘fake’ or ‘AI-generated’, local forest manager John O’Reilly, who received the video from the startled timber haulier – insisted that whatever it was, it was certainly real.
“The creature had been spotted before by harvesters working on the site, but it was from a distance, moving through the trees. We assumed it was a deer before the video was captured,” John explained.
The huge dog is playfully named Mouse(Image: AGS)
“The footage came from a lorry driver who was hauling timber, and there is a lot of debate as to what it actually is.
“People can make their own mind up when they watch the video. I’m not saying for certain that it is a lion, but it does look to have a mane and a long tail.”
“Some people even think that someone might have shaved their dog as a joke.”
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The Gardai in Co Clare confirmed they were investigating the sightings in Mount Shannon woods, so they were also taking it seriously.
It turns out that the large creature spotted in the woods was indeed a sizeable animal, but not of the Panthera genus as initially thought.
The ‘lion’ is actually a very friendly Newfoundland dog named Mouse, who had recently undergone what could be described as a ‘Lion King Makeover’.
Gardaí from Killaloe in Co Clare shared on social media: “Gardaí from Killaloe have concluded that the recent video of a lion-like animal roaming around the woods in East Clare is in fact the very friendly Mouse, a Newfoundland dog who is delighted with his recent viral video clip.”
Mouse’s recent grooming session has given him an appearance that, from certain angles, makes him look more like a big cat than a large dog.
Newfoundlands, or ‘Newfies’, can grow to an impressive size and were originally bred as working dogs on the rugged coast of Newfoundland.
Despite their formidable size, they are known for their gentle nature and make excellent companions.
They even have a reputation as a watchful ‘nanny dog’ for children, being patient, kind, and fiercely protective family dogs that will never let you down.
Newfies are also employed as lifeguard dogs in several coastal communities worldwide.
There have been numerous documented instances of Newfoundland dogs rescuing people from water, pulling them to safety with their powerful swimming style.
In 2016, a Newfoundland dog named Whizz, who had saved nine people and another dog from drowning over a ten-year water rescue career, was honoured with the UK’s PDSA Order of Merit, often referred to as the animals’ OBE, for his exceptional dedication to duty.
Whizz devoted most of his life to patrolling the Bristol Channel and the River Severn alongside the Royal Navy Rescue, the Severn Area Rescue Association, and the Marine Volunteer Service.
Whizz was recognised for rescuing at least 9 individuals, including children, from the choppy waters of the Bristol Channel, and his owner affirmed that he lived to assist those in distress.
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