8 Crazy Cryptids That Could Exist

Black Shuck is the name of a large, black, ghost dog that is said to roam the countryside and coastline of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. The creature is often found around churches and graveyards. Its name comes from the word “Scucca” meaning devil or fiend.

Commonly described features of the cryptid include large demonic red eyes, long bared teeth and black matted fur. Some stories depict Black Shuck as an omen of death, whereas in others it is companionable to the good and only attacks those that do evil and cause harm.

The most prominent story accredited to Black Shuck occurred in 1577. It is said that the large black dog burst through the doors of Holy Trinity Church in Blythburgh, Suffolk and grabbed a man and a boy to eat them. When the church congregation tried to stop the demonic entity, the church steeple collapsed through the roof, allowing it to escape. As it left the church it is said to have left scorch marks on the door, which can still be seen to this day.

Ever since, tales of Black Shuck have been disseminated world-wide and throughout popular culture. From British rock band The Darkness, video games like Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, and even as the basis of the Grim in Harry Potter, many different tales have stemmed from this cryptid.

In late 2014, an excavation near the church found the remains of a dog, said to be over 7ft (2.1m) tall. Carbon dating suggested the animal was buried sometime in the 1600s. Nearby were also the remains of humans, whose bones showed that they had been gnawed upon. Could this be the dog that originated the legend?