Dog mistaken for baby lion prompts 911 call

[cthulhu_waves]

People actually believe that this small/medium dog is actually a lion? Just look at the size compared to the people standing around and it is plainly obvious that this just ain't an example of a king of the jungle. Maybe a Scottish deerhound-a-doodle might be more scary but please. What is more scary is these same people that can't tell the difference between a lion and a small/medium dog actually vote.

The 911 caller reported that the baby lion was walking down Colley Avenue, possibly looking for food, near 50th Street. So police called the Virginia Zoo around 10:15 a.m. to make sure the lions were all accounted for, said Winfield Danielson, a zoo spokesman.

Mramba, the male lion, and Zola, the female, were in their habitats.

As it turns out, it was Charles the Monarch that was out and about.

Neighborhood regulars know Charles, who hangs out with his owner at Daniel Painter's business, Daniel's Lawn & Garden Center, on Colley Avenue.

Charles is a cross of Labrador retriever and poodle shaved to look like the mascot of Old Dominion University.

He likes to dine at University Pizza.

"He has a thousand-and-200-some friends on Facebook," Painter said Tuesday.

By evening, with the media attention, his fan base was growing.

Police spokesman Chris Amos said he did a double-take when he first saw Charles at an ODU game. On Tuesday, a Talbot Park Civic League official emailed people to tell them the "lion" was just a dog.

It wasn't the first time Charles had generated a police call.

Painter said police have told him several times that his dog has been mistaken for a lion. He said he's taken his dog from his Riverview home to Lafayette Park near the zoo and seen people run to their cars in shock.

"I tell people he's a Lab-a-lion, and half the people believe that."

But really, Painter said, Charles the Monarch loves people, children and tailgating at ODU with the official school mascot, Big Blue.

[DWB]

My God people are retarded. They need to get out more.

[privatesociety]

There was a cat in Essex UK that did something similar a year or so back

[ottopottomouse]

Not surprising with the way it's fur has been trimmed.

[bronco67]

Originally Posted by DWB

My God people are retarded. They need to get out more.

True, but that does look like a lion.

[bloggerz]

I like it looks great

[PR_Glen]

Originally Posted by bronco67

True, but that does look like a lion.

only if you are high..

[Choopa Phil]

That dog looks awesome.

[Choopa_Pardo]

Charles the Monarch? GREAT name!


what a cool dog!

[bronco67]

Originally Posted by PR_Glen

only if you are high..

and I am high right now. True story.