Aufhocker

The Aufhocker is from German folklore, and its name means “leap upon.”  It looks like a black dog that occasionally walks on its back legs. It targets people traveling alone at night. It attacks at crossroads and rips out their victims’ throats. It can shapeshift into other animals, or even a human. It cannot be killed but will leave at the sound of church bells or when the sun rises.

Citations:

Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.