Locals in County Clare, located in western Ireland, thought they were hallucinating when they spotted a lion walking through a wooded area. They immediately called the police, who soon found out that their eyes were “lion” to them. It turns out that the “lion-like” creature was actually a Newfoundland dog named Mouse with a fresh haircut that gave him the uncanny resemblance to the fearsome king of the jungle. Officers stopped to pose with their furry suspect, who crowded close with his tail tucked between his legs, as if accepting guilt for the fright he mistakenly caused. The police even posted a poll on social media to see how many people truly believed Mouse was a lion, with roughly 27% saying they did. Animal welfare advocates, though, struggled to see the humor in Mouse’s butchered grooming, as they noted that Newfoundland dogs don’t typically have their coats shaved — especially not down to the skin. They say unless it’s medically necessary, shaving a Newfoundland’s coat is not recommended because it helps regulate temperature and protects their skin. Removing it can lead to sunburn, overheating and other health complications.
