Many legends tell that if someone encounters or directly looks into the eyes of a “phantom dog,” the victim will perish within a year…
The Chilling Tale of the Giant Phantom Dog
In England, no matter where you go, you can hear spine-chilling stories about a creature that resembles a dog but is much larger. It is believed to be a “malevolent spirit” signaling death and is often referred to by locals as Black Dog or Padfoot.
“The Black Dog Phantom” and Folklore…
The most common description of the “phantom dog” is that it is a large, shaggy black creature with large eyes that can glow in the dark. Additionally, they are said to be able to become invisible and change shape.
Stories about the “phantom dog” often relate to areas such as railway tracks, dead ends, and graveyards…
In England, tales of this creature are so prevalent that each region has its own variations and explanations for this being.
For instance, in the Dartmoor region, people speculate that the “phantom dog” is the ghost of the wicked landowner Cabell, who sold his soul to the devil for wealth. Upon his death, he transformed into the black dog phantom to guard his riches from being touched by anyone.
According to locals from Suffolk, a strange event occurred on August 4, 1577. While the parishioners of Bungay were gathered in church, a sudden storm hit.
The sky turned dark, and from the midst of the storm, a black dog suddenly appeared. It ran towards the church, causing panic among the parishioners who fled in terror. It charged at two people who were kneeling in prayer, killing them almost instantly, while another individual was left convulsing from fiery torment.
Another legend emerged at Newgate Prison in 1596 when a person accused of being a witch was killed and eaten by prisoners. Since then, this prison has been haunted by a giant dog, believed to be the vengeful spirit of the accused witch. Any prisoner attempting to escape mysteriously died.
Even in the book by Augustus Hare, “In My Solitary Life”, he recounts a detailed story he heard from a man named Johnnie Greenwood in Swancliffe.
On that day, despite the darkness, Johnnie had to cross through a forest about 1.6 km from Swancliffe. Strangely, as he approached the forest entrance, a black dog began following him. It ran beside him until he safely exited the forest, then it vanished quickly as it had come.
Upon returning home, he still had to walk along the forest path, and this time the dog followed him until he left the woods, where it then disappeared.
Years later, two prisoners confessed that they had planned to rob and kill Johnnie one evening in the woods, but the appearance of a large black dog stopped them from carrying out their deed.
The black dog phantoms are also rumored to frequently visit special locations such as execution sites or certain graveyards. They are often seen as souls punishing crimes.
In 1751, a black dog was frequently seen wandering around Tring, Hertfordshire, where a woman was sentenced to death on suspicion of being a witch. The local schoolmaster even reported seeing a black dog regularly visit the gallows.
It was described as very large, shaggy, with long, sharp teeth, floppy ears, a long tail, and eyes glowing with fire that were very frightening.
The Mysterious Creature Appears in Dartmoor (England)
In 2007, a photograph taken of a group of students on a field trip (shown beside) on Hound Tor (Dartmoor, England) caused a significant stir.
Not far from the group, a creature was seen sauntering across a grassy field with pitch-black, thick, and bristly fur, rounded ears, and strong front legs that seemed ready to rip apart any opponent. Many assumed it could merely be a bear or an old wolf. Regardless of what it was, the Dartmoor Beast left farmers in the area sleepless for several nights, fearing their livestock would be attacked.
Falconer Martin Whitley, the photographer, recalled: “The creature was about 200 meters from where I stood. Its massive body was covered in dense black and gray fur. Its shoulders were broad like those of a bull, with rounded ears, a long, thick tail that seemed to be missing the last segment. Based on its movement, it appeared to be a female.”
(Photo: BBC)
“At that moment, the students were climbing over some rocks to take pictures, making quite a racket. But for some reason, the creature paid no attention and just walked away.”
According to local legends, a pack of phantom dogs known as the “Hell Hound” or “Whist Hound” has existed in Hound Tor since ancient times. This legend inspired author Arthur Conan Doyle to write the story “The Hound of the Baskervilles” in his Sherlock Holmes series.
(Photo: BBC)
Regarding the strange photograph captured on September 28, Mark Fraser, founder of the national organization for wildcat research in England, stated: “At first glance, it looks like a bear or a wolf, but based on my personal experience, I can confidently say it is not a wild dog. If anything, it is a creature full of mystery.”
