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The large animal walking through the forest(Image: John O’Reilly)<\/p>\nIt comes in response to reports of a ‘lion-like animal’ seen in the woodsThe large animal walking through the forest(Image: John O’Reilly)<\/p>\n
Gardai have set the record straight over reports of a “lion” spotted roaming the woods near a west of Ireland village.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Galway man killed in early morning crash named locally as ‘kind gent’<\/a>Inside iconic Galway pub up for auction<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “The footage came from a lorry driver who was hauling timber, and there is a lot of debate as to what it actually is.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n “Some people even think that someone might have shaved their dog as a joke.”<\/p>\n For all the latest breaking news headlines today, visit our website home page<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Gardai in Co Clare confirmed they were investigating the sightings in Mount Shannon woods, so they were also taking it seriously.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The ‘lion’ is actually a very friendly Newfoundland dog named Mouse, who had recently undergone what could be described as a ‘Lion King Makeover’.<\/p>\n Gardai\u0301 from Killaloe in Co Clare shared on social media: “Gardai\u0301 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.”<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Newfoundlands, or ‘Newfies’, can grow to an impressive size and were originally bred as working dogs on the rugged coast of Newfoundland.<\/p>\n Despite their formidable size, they are known for their gentle nature and make excellent companions.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Newfies are also employed as lifeguard dogs in several coastal communities worldwide.<\/p>\n There have been numerous documented instances of Newfoundland dogs rescuing people from water, pulling them to safety with their powerful swimming style.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Galway Beo\u2019s top stories and breaking news service on WhatsApp.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1_mouse.jpg\")
The huge dog is playfully named Mouse(Image: AGS)<\/p>\n