{"id":249232,"date":"2025-11-07T11:52:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T11:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/249232\/"},"modified":"2025-11-07T11:52:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T11:52:12","slug":"mystery-of-the-lion-spotted-roaming-through-woods-has-been-solved-news-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/249232\/","title":{"rendered":"Mystery of the ‘lion’ spotted roaming through woods has been solved | News UK"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ireland\u2019s mystery of a roaming \u2018lion\u2019 this week has finally been solved \u2013 it was simply a Newfoundland dog named Mouse with a daring new hairdo.<\/p>\n

A video taken by a trucker who mistook Mouse for a lion exploring East Clare went viral on social media<\/a> as people questioned why the beast was running through the woods.<\/p>\n

The Garda\u00ed (Irish police) confirmed yesterday that the supposed King of the Jungle was actually a very friendly dog.<\/p>\n

Pictures and footage of the dog show his coat has been recently shaved with his bushy tail and mane resembling a lion.<\/p>\n

An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Clare posted on Facebook<\/a>: \u2018If you go down to the woods today\u2026..it\u2019s not a lion you will find but the very friendly Newfoundland dog named mouse.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates<\/a> newsletter or get Breaking News<\/a> alerts the moment it happens. <\/p>\n

\t\t\"'Lion
\n\t\tThe mane attraction: Newfoundland dog named Mouse identified as the \u2018lion\u2019 on the loose (Picture: X\/Garda Info)<\/p>\n

People have taken to social media to express their concern about the Newfoundland\u2019s shaved fur.<\/p>\n

It is not recommended to shave a Newfoundland dog because it will interfere with their body temperature regulation, making them overheat.<\/p>\n

The breed are double-coated which regulates their body\u2019s temperature by trapping air close to the skin \u2013 keeping them cool in the summer<\/a> and insulating them in the winter.<\/p>\n

One Facebook user expressed how glad they were that the dog was found safe: \u2018Thankfully he is safe and no hunting fool went on a scouting expedition for the first \u2018wild lion\u2019 in Ireland.\u2019<\/p>\n

Another commented: \u2018No way! I literally thought that could be a newfie shaved! They have the same stride when walking.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tFur-ocious misunderstanding? The video went viral of a \u2018lion\u2019 roaming Irish woods<\/p>\n

Gardai\u2019s statement said: \u2018Garda\u00ed received report of a large animal in a wooded area in Co. Clare on Wednesday 29th October 2025. <\/p>\n

\u2018Enquiries were carried out.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tBarking up the wrong tree\t\t\t<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t the first time a dog has been mistaken for another animal and vice versa.<\/p>\n

In 2016, a stray German Shepherd\/Husky mix was repeatedly reported by locals as a wolf running loose in a Los Angeles neighbourhood
\nAn Australian Shepherd mix interrupted a live TV report in Utah where people thought it was a mountain lion
\nIn 2018, Colorado Springs firefighters rescued eight animals from a storm drain, believing they were pups \u2013 but they were later identified as baby red foxes<\/p>\n

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more stories like this, check our news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\nMORE: Men arrested after joyriding 6mph scissor lift through city centre<\/a><\/p>\n

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\nMORE: iPhone cables, handball and fake cancer: DJ Carey\u2019s extraordinary lies catch up with him<\/a><\/p>\n


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