The Black Dog of Bouley Bay

About 10km from St Helier, almost opposite on the north coast of the island, in Trinity, is Bouley Bay. 

On nights when the black dog roamed the hills of Bouley Bay people would lock themselves in their houses, bar the shutters and bolt their doors. Those who had glimpsed the black dog gave varying reports of what it looked like. Some said it was the size of a bull, smooth furred with ears flat like a hound and huge eyes as yellow as gold. Others swore that the black dog was similar to a great black wolf, the size of a bear, with eyes that glowed as red as the flames of hell.

Many insisted that a sighting of the legendary black dog heralded a coming storm or the death of a loved one, while some said that he led lost travellers to safety. Others warned that the black dog chased unwary folk to their deaths from the cliffs, or that he savaged people viciously. Some people swore that the black dog would protect the vulnerable from harm.

When the eerie howls echoed down into the bay, anyone who heard them would make for the nearest house or for The Black Dog tavern just to be on the safe side.

There are many stories about Lé Tchain Dé Bouley. While there are differing accounts, the most common is of a terrifing, giant black dog with eyes the size of saucers, roaming the bay dragging a chain behind it. As such, just the eeirie clanging of a chain was enough to send people into thier homes, terrified that the dog was approaching. A giant dog no-one could outrun. 

Those who encountered the dog were usually stopped in thier tracks by fear as they heard the chain, only to be cornered by the dog who would circle them at great speed, terrifying them. While no bodily harm was done to the alleged victims of the dog, they were found in the morning cowering against a hedge or at the side of the road, suffering from shock.

Some believe the dog is real, others believe it is pure myth. One story is that is is a legend. Perhaps there is a black dog that haunts Bouley Bay. Perhaps some did encounter the ghost of a dog, or some apparition. Maybe it warns of a storm and nothing else. It is possible, there were stories of the black dog and someone thought of a good way to turn that to thier advantage.

Most people now believe that the story was made up by smugglers, if nothing but a howl or the rattle of a chain is enough to clear the streets and keep people indoors, what better way to make sure no-one would see you moor at the bay, bringing illegal brandy and tobacco into land? Some even believe, on some occasions, the smugglers would don a costume and pretend to be the dog. Crude a disguise as it may have been, it is unlikely anyone who had heard the stories, seeing a giant creature in the distance, would take the chance of getting a closer look.

So was the black dog pure myth created by the smugglers, or a legend simply encouraged by them? Either way, Le Chein de Bouley, Le Tchain bu Boulay, Tchain du Bouôlé Lé Tchain dé Bouley, The Black Dog of Bouley Bay, is a legend that is here to stay.