Mira's been freakin' CREEPING THE CRAP OUT OF ME with her scary asian myths. The following link must be read... I'll leave Mira to elaborate on any of the stories if she wants to...
http://history.sfogs.com/pon.htm
Meanwhile, I'll just leave you with the tale of East Anglian terror Black Shuck. I used to live in the Anglian part of Northamptonshire. As a kid I made sure not to stare too many black dogs in the face.
http://www.jardinepress.co.uk/books/Bshuck.html
edit - forgot part of the tale. During the English Civil War, in a hospital tent, one night Black Shuck lept through it. Every single soldier he lept over died. Not a dog you wanna pet.