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COPS in Virginia were called to respond to panicked locals after a “lion cub” was spotted playing in the streets of the city.
The Norfolk Police Department responded to a number of emergency calls after people spotted the animal.
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Upon their arrival at the scene, the officers realised that what was thought to be a lion was actually something entirely different.
Charles the well-groomed dog was playing in the streets of Norfolk, blissfully unaware that he was causing panic.
The pooch has a unique appearance with a dyed tail and a fluffy coat which is groomed to look like the mane of a lion.
A man called 911 saying, “I’d like to report a lion sighting.”
The shocked dispatcher had to check they heard it right and replied: “Say that again?”
Just minutes later, more emergency calls came in with people believing the so-called lion cub had escaped a local zoo.
One man said: “I just saw an animal that looked like a small lion.
“Had the mane and everything…I don’t know if it got away from the zoo, or what.”
Another caller added that the “baby lion” was the size of a Labrador retriever.
The Police Department contacted the Virginia Zoo to check that its two lions were safely in their pens.
The executive director of the zoo, Greg Bockheim told CNN affiliate WAVY: “We all looked at each other like, ‘Could it be?'”
The workers rushed to the enclosure to find the two cats asleep.
Police discovered Charles, the Labrador-poodle mix who had just visited the groomers.
Charles’ owner, Daniel Painter revealed why his dog – full name Charles the Monarch- has such an unusual hair style.
He told WAVY that the dog is groomed so he represents the lion mascot at Old Dominion University.”
The pampered pooch has now become some kind of celebrity with appearances on television and a dedicated Facebook page.
Painter has reassured the public that Charles is a friendly canine and should not scare people.
“He’s the most friendly lab-a-lion you’re going to find,” he said.
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