Ian O’Phelan

(sometimes called the “Shaggy Beast” or La Velue which is French for “Hairy One”) is a supposed dragon that terrorized a La Ferté-Bernard, France, in medieval times. Despite the French origins, its more recognized name is Portuguese for “hairy”. Depending on the account, it had either a porcupine like body or a mess of hair like projections hanging from its body that were actually stinger tipped tentacles which could erect into quills. This shaggy appearance is where its name is derived. Consistently, it was told to have possessed poisonous stingers that it could shoot off its body, a snake’s neck, head, and tail, large, tortoise like feet, and a green color.

The myth proposed that the beast was denied access to Noah’s Ark yet survived the biblical flood by seeking refuge in a cave near the Huisne River. After many years, it returned to rampage across the countryside, wilting crops with its breath and devouring both livestock and humans. It was finally defeated after it killed a man’s fiancée. He tracked it down and cut off its tail. This was the only vulnerable point on the beast, and it died immediately.