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Irish 'Lion' Sighting Was a Newfoundland Dog, Gardaí Confirm

Gardaí ended the scare by confirming the viral animal was Mouse, a Newfoundland in a lion cut.

Overview

  • An Garda Síochána in Killaloe on November 4 identified the animal in the viral clip as a friendly Newfoundland dog named Mouse and shared a photo.
  • The short video, widely circulated on WhatsApp and social media, showed the creature walking into woodland near Mountshannon, County Clare.
  • The lion-like look resulted from a grooming style known as a lion cut, which leaves a mane around the head and a tuft at the tail.
  • Police noted there were no reports of a lion on the loose in County Meath, countering posts that misattributed the footage to the Kells area.
  • A forest manager said harvesters had seen the animal from a distance earlier, but the official identification resolved the matter and reassured residents.