Dog resembling lion causes 911 calls

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NORFOLK, Va., Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Authorities in Virginia said they received numerous 911 calls about a "lion sighting" that turned out to be a fluffy dog groomed to resemble the big cat.

Norfolk police said they received several 911 calls Tuesday about an animal resembling a small lion walking the streets of the city, CNN reported Thursday.

"I'd like to report a lion sighting," one 911 caller said.

"I just saw an animal that looked like a small lion," another caller said. "Had the mane and everything ... I don't know if it got away from the zoo, or what."

The police department contacted the Virginia Zoo to make sure its lions were kept contained.

The animal turned out to be Charles the Monarch, a Labrador-poodle mix owned by Daniel Painter.

Painter said his dog's hair has been trimmed and dyed to resemble the mascot from his alma mater, Old Dominion University.