There have been reported sightings of phantom black dogs throughout Britain ever since the medieval period. Almost every county has its own variant, from Black Shuck of East Anglia to Padfoot and the Bogey Beast of Yorkshire. When someone in Britain sees a phantom black dog they are not supposed to tell anyone about it for a year and a day. According to legend, if someone is told about it before a year and a day has passed, they will die. Phantom black dogs are described as taking on many different shapes and forms, some howling, some with only one eye and others carrying chains around them.