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Roborough Down Phantom Hound

Roborough Down, Roborough, Devon Shuck Pre-Victorian

On a December evening, possibly in the nineteenth century, a man walking home across Roborough Down encountered a large black dog. As he tried to pat the creature, his hand passed straight through its head. The dog then yawned, revealing sulphur-like breath, and the man fled in terror. The phantom hound gave chase, pursuing him with a fierce determination. The man's ordeal ended with a blinding flash that threw him to the ground, where he was found unconscious the next day.

This legendary haunting is tied to a murder victim, with the phantom hound said to roam Roborough Down in search of its next victim. The story has been passed down through local folklore, with some claiming the hound's appearance is a harbinger of doom. While the exact date of the encounter is unclear, the tale has become an integral part of Devon's paranormal heritage. The incident has been classified as a Shuck, a type of ghostly hound said to roam the countryside.

Historical Context

The haunting is rooted in local folklore, with the exact date of the encounter unclear.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Down or Moorland
Activity Types
Visual Audio Physical
Witness Credibility
Single Witness
Threat Level
Highly Threatening
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
December evening, possibly nineteenth century (if not, earlier)
Postcode Area
EX31

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