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Revision as of 13:31, 24 January 2011 by Beastmaster (talk | contribs)

The Shriker or Skriker is a monstrous Black Dog strongly associated with Lancashire, England.

Etymology

The word shriker is a local term for a complainer or a whining person, a reference to the creature's cry. Instead of barking, it only whines or moans, as if in pain.

Description

The Shriker most commonly takes the shape of a giant black dog with glowing eyes, following travellers on the road, although it can also appear as a cow or a horse. Seeing the creature is supposed to be an omen of extreme bad luck, most often the death of the sighter or a member of their family, much like a banshee. In some stories death only follows if the person attempts to chase away the Shriker pacing him. Like the Cusith, the creature will sometimes attack and even kill humans.

History

In 1825, a man was allegedly attacked and pursued by a Shriker in the form of a headless dog near a church in Manchester.

Art/Fiction

The Shriker is the main villain of The Beast of Noor by Janet Lee Carey. In the book, the creature is the vengeful, shapeshifting spirit of a dog which was betrayed by its master, inhabiting a nearby forest and attacking passersby.

See Also