What animal was mistaken for a lion in Ireland?

The animal mistaken for a lion in Ireland was a Newfoundland dog named "Mouse".

How did the "lion" in Ireland turn out to be a dog?

The "lion" turned out to be a Newfoundland dog that had been groomed to resemble a lion, with its shaved fur giving it a lion-like mane and tail.

Where did the video of the "lion" in Ireland come from?

The video of the "lion" was captured by a truck driver and shared on news sites and social media, sparking confusion and speculation about a lion roaming the Irish countryside.

Home / Lifestyle / Newfoundland Pup's Haircut Causes Confusion in Ireland

Newfoundland Pup's Haircut Causes Confusion in Ireland

5 Nov

•

Summary

Truck driver's video of "lion" in Ireland actually a shaggy dog
Dog named "Mouse" had been groomed to resemble a lion
Police confirm the "lion" sighting was just a friendly Newfoundland

Newfoundland Pup's Haircut Causes Confusion in Ireland

On November 5th, 2025, a video of a large, shaggy animal roaming the woods in County Clare, Ireland, went viral, sparking speculation that a lion had somehow ended up in the Irish countryside. The video, captured by a truck driver, was shared widely on news sites and social media, leaving many perplexed.

Forest manager John O'Reilly, who received the video, was among those who initially couldn't believe their eyes. "You're saying, 'Christ, that couldn't be what it looks like,'" he recalled. However, after nearly a week, Ireland's police force, known as An Garda Síochána, solved the mystery. The "lion" was actually a Newfoundland dog named "Mouse" that had been groomed to resemble the big cat.

The police shared photos of the calm, docile dog, whose shaved fur had given it a lion-like mane and tail. While it's unclear why Mouse had been groomed in this manner, the incident serves as a humorous reminder that sometimes things are not always as they appear. The Irish countryside, it seems, is home to more friendly pups than apex predators.