In a recent interview with Irish forest manager John O’Reilly, he shared his initial disbelief upon viewing a video of what appeared to be a lion in an Irish forest. Despite his skepticism, O’Reilly admitted that the creature did indeed resemble a lion. However, it was later revealed that the animal in question was a brown Newfoundland dog styled to look like a lion.
The unusual sighting began when timber harvesters working for O’Reilly’s forest management company in County Clare, Ireland, noticed a large animal moving around the woods. Subsequently, one of their truck drivers captured footage of the mysterious creature, which quickly went viral online. Although there are no lions native to Ireland, O’Reilly suspected that the animal might be someone’s exotic pet.
Following the viral video’s circulation, local police authorities were contacted for further investigation. An Garda Síochána, Ireland’s national police force, confirmed that the supposed lion was, in fact, a Newfoundland dog named Mouse with an eccentric haircut. The police humorously stated that Mouse was pleased with his newfound fame.
This incident is not the first time a dog has been mistaken for another animal. In the past, similar cases have occurred, such as a Labradoodle mistaken for a lion and chow chows painted to resemble baby pandas. Despite the entertainment value of such occurrences, experts warn against shaving Newfoundland dogs’ coats, citing potential health risks.
While Mouse’s owners remain unidentified, O’Reilly expressed curiosity about the dog’s unique appearance. He speculated that Mouse might have been groomed to resemble a lion for Halloween festivities, imagining the surprise of encountering the dog at the doorstep during trick-or-treating.