[ Parsons / "The Beast of Hackney Marshes" ]
This article, by staff writer Chris Parsons, appeared in the May 25, 2012, issue of The Daily Mail, a London-based tabloid newspaper that is England's most widely-circulated daily. (The story was also reported by several other newspapers.)
"Hackney Marshes" is located in the north-central London metropolitan area. While once true marshland, it is now mostly park and woodland.
'Beast of Hackney Marshes' is revealed to be huge Newfoundland dog owned by drummer from 90s band Kula Shaker
A mysterious 'Beast of Hackney' who terrified East London residents while prowling through woodland has finally been revealed - as a five-foot pet dog.
The huge black creature had been spotted stalking through woodland earlier this month and was soon dubbed 'The Beast of Hackney Marshes' as locals struggled to identify the enormous animal.
But no sooner had the beast frightened walkers than he had been revealed as a four-year-old black Newfoundland dog belonging to the drummer from 90s British indie band Kula Shaker.
Paul Winter-Hart, 40, came forward as the owner of the huge canine, called Willow, after her picture was placed on the front page of a local newspaper.
Terrified student Helen Murray had raised fears over the identity of the animal after taking pictures of it strolling through woodland earlier this month.
She claimed she 'managed to get away' from the creature, but was left 'scared half to death'.
But Paul's wife Nicole, 42, said yesterday: 'I am still laughing. I think this poor girl, Helen, saw Willow, our dog.
'My husband recognised her straight away when he saw the paper.
'He brought a copy to show me and said: ‘Look. Willow’s made the front page!’
'I knew it was her immediately. It is funny because our friends call her the Beast of Dunlace Road and now she is the Beast of Hackney Marshes.'
The couple and their children regularly walk Willow near the River Lea - where Helen took her pictures.
Nicole added: 'I don’t know where we were when those pictures were taken. Willow must have run ahead of us.'
The family’s pet stands over 5ft tall when she is on her hind legs. But Helen remains unconvinced that the creature she saw was a Newfoundland.
She said: 'That dog is so cute. I am pretty sure it was not a dog as it was far too big and its build was not dog-like.'
Paul's band Kula Shaker reformed in 2006 after a seven-year break. He has also played drums for a number of other bands.
The Britpop four-piece emerged onto the music scene around the same time as Oasis and Blur, while their debut album K topped the charts, becoming at the time the fastest-selling debut album in Britain since Oasis' Definitely Maybe.
The original article, with photos, may be found here.
Paul Winter-Hart is one of many well-known individuals who have owned Newfoundlands at some point during their lives. You can find an annotated list of these folks here at The Cultured Newf.