5 Animal Ghosts You Definitely Don’t Want To Pet
Spotted, snarling, and still not at rest…
Ghost stories usually revolve around people, but sometimes, it’s the animals that refuse to move on. Across centuries and continents, tales of haunted beasts have left claw marks on local legends, terrifying witnesses and baffling investigators. From snarling hellhounds to spectral pigs, here are five of the most spine-chilling animals ghosts in recorded lore.
Black Shuck - Bungay’s Hellhound
One of the most feared phantom creatures in English folklore, Black Shuck is said to roam the countryside of East Anglia, especially near churches, graveyards, and lonely country lanes. Described as a huge black dog with glowing red (or sometimes green) eyes, its appearance is often considered an omen of death.
The most infamous encounter happened on August 4th, 1577, during a violent thunderstorm in Bungay, Suffolk. As the congregation sheltered inside St Mary’s Church, a bolt of lightning struck. Witnesses claimed a black monstrous dog burst through the doors, ran down the aisle, and attacked several people, killing two before vanishing.
Later that same day, the same beast allegedly appeared 12 miles away in Blythburgh , clawing at the church door, leaving scorch marks that can still be seen today.
Some believe Black Shuck is a folkloric warning - others think it may have been a real dog caught in the storm. But for centuries, sightings have persisted, with many still claiming to glimpse the fiery-eyes creature near churchyards at night.
The Phantom Bear of the Tower of London
You’ve probably heard of Anne Boleyn’s ghost in the Tower of London - but a bear?
According to reports, the Tower is haunted by a phantom bear that once terrified a Yeoman Warder so severely that he allegedly dropped dead from shock in the 1800s. The bear appeared near the Martin Tower, where the royal menagerie - a medieval zoo of exotic animals - had been housed for centuries.
The Tower kept lions, monkeys, and even a polar bear (which was allowed to swim in the Thames on a lead). The bear’s spirit, however, is thought to be connected to one of these long-deceased animals. When the ghostly bear appeared in a shadowy corridor, the guard reportedly lunged at it with a bayonet… which passed straight through.
Though dismissed by some as an urban legend, the Tower’s long, violent history and its strange blend of human and animal suffering make it the perfect breeding ground for paranormal energy.
Pluckley’s Haunted Horse
Pluckley, a quiet village in Kent, is often dubbed the most haunted village in England, with over a dozen separate spirits said to roam its lanes and buildings. Among them? A phantom horse and carriage that gallops through the night.
Local tales describe the sound of hoofbeats and wheels on cobblestone even where there are no roads. Some say they’ve seen a ghostly coach racing toward the woods - only to vanish into the mist.
This spectral steed is thought to be linked to a highwayman or nobleman who died violently, either thrown from his horse or murdered along the road. The Maltman’s Hill area, in particular, is considered a hotspot for this ghostly equine activity.
The fact that many villagers still refuse to walk certain paths after dark… speaks volumes.
Samlesbury Hall’s Ghost Pig
Samlesbury Hall, a striking black-and-white Tudor manor in Lancashire, is no stranger to spirits. Still, one of its strangest is a ghost pig.
Yes. A pig.
Witnesses have reported hearing loud snorting and grunting sounds, with no physical source. Others have seen a shadowy pig-like shape moving through the grounds or even appearing near the kitchen quarters.
Some believe it could be tied to witchcraft, as Samlesbury was home to one of Lancashire’s most notorious witch trials. Others think it may be a twisted version of the Black Dog legend, with a pig taking its place. Paranormal teams have investigated the site multiple times, capturing unexplained sounds and shadows. Still, the ghost pig remains elusive - and totally bizarre.
The Demon Cat of Washington D.C.
America’s spookiest animal ghost isn’t hiding in the woods - it’s allegedly haunted the heart of political power.
The “Demon Cat” (often just called D.C.) is said to prowl the U.S. Capitol Building and The White House, appearing before national disasters or tragedies. Its sightings date back to the 1800s, when Capitol guards claimed to see a stray cat that would suddenly grow in size - up to the size of a tiger - before lunging at them or vanishing into thin air.
Legend says the Demon Cat appeared before the assassinations of Lincoln and Kennedy, the stock market crash of 1929, and 9/11. The Capitol was once home to a rat-control cat program, and many believe the story originated from bored night guards embellishing tales of feline encounters. But even today, staff report strange noises, claw marks, and glowing eyes in darkened hallways.
Real or not, D.C.’s demon cat has become a full-blown urban legend - and the last thing you want crossing your path in the nation’s capital.
So… which haunted animal would you be brave enough to face?
Would you pet the hellhound? Try to trap the ghost pig? Or leg it as soon as you hear phantom hoofbeats in the fog?
Drop your favourite spooky beast in the comments.
Beth 🖤