The Rougarou is a creature that is commonly found in the folklore of Louisiana. It is described as a humanoid creature with the head of a wolf or a dog and the body of a human. The origins of the Rougarou can be traced back to the French settlers who came to Louisiana in the 18th century.

The legend of the Loup-Garou, or werewolf, dates back to the 16th century and was widely believed throughout France. According to legend, a person could become a werewolf if they made a pact with the devil or if they were bitten by another werewolf. The transformation would occur during a full moon and the werewolf would roam the countryside in search of prey.

As Christianity spread throughout France, the Loup-Garou became associated with evil and was often used as a symbol of sin and temptation. Many people believed that the werewolf was a sign of God's punishment for sinful behavior.

In the 18th century, French settlers arrived in Louisiana, bringing with them their cultural traditions and legends, including the Loup-Garou. Over time, the legend of the Loup-Garou evolved and became known as the Rougarou in Louisiana.  The first recorded use of the name “rougarou” dates back to the early 19th century. The term was used in a French poem titled “Le Loup-garou” by Joseph Bouchette, a Canadian surveyor and mapmaker who traveled extensively throughout North America.

The Rougarou is similar to the Loup-Garou in that it is a creature that is said to roam the countryside during a full moon. However, unlike the Loup-Garou, the Rougarou is often depicted as having the head of a wolf or a dog and the body of a human.

According to legend, the Rougarou was once a human who made a deal with the devil to gain supernatural powers. In exchange for these powers, the human had to become a Rougarou and spend seven years in this form.

One of the earliest reported sightings of the Rougarou dates back to the early 19th century. According to legend, a man named Jacques Rouleau was transformed into a Rougarou after breaking a promise he made to his dying father. He was said to have terrorized the countryside for years before he was killed by a group of hunters.

In 1987, a woman named Sondra DuRant claimed to have seen a Rougarou while driving home from work. She reported seeing a large creature with the body of a man and the head of a wolf standing by the side of the road. The creature reportedly looked at her and then ran away into the woods.

In 1992, a group of hunters in the Atchafalaya Basin reported seeing a Rougarou while on a hunting trip. They claimed that the creature was walking on two legs and had the head of a wolf. They fired several shots at the creature, but it ran away into the woods and was never seen again.

In 2003, a man named Travis LeDoyt claimed to have seen a Rougarou while driving near Lake Charles. He reported seeing a large creature with the body of a man and the head of a wolf walking across the road in front of him. He swerved to avoid hitting the creature and it disappeared into the woods.

In recent years, there have been several reported sightings of the rougarou, including one in 2016 in Houma, Louisiana. A video posted online showed what appeared to be a large, dark figure with glowing eyes walking through a residential neighborhood.

While the reported sightings of the Rougarou may vary in nature, they all share a common theme of a large, wolf-like creature that is said to roam the Louisiana swamps.

The legend of the Rougarou has become an important part of Louisiana's cultural heritage, with many festivals and events dedicated to the creature. While the origins of the Rougarou can be traced back to medieval France and the legend of the Loup-Garou, the creature has taken on a life of its own in Louisiana and has become a symbol of the state's unique cultural identity.

These sources include,  "The Rougarou" by Jack L. McLean, "Haunted Louisiana" by Barbara Sillery, and "Louisiana Legends" by Katherine and Martin Brown. Additionally, local news outlets in Louisiana have reported on sightings of the Rougarou in the past, and there are numerous websites and social media groups dedicated to collecting and sharing stories and legends about the creature.