Circus busted for disguising dogs as panda bears
QMI Agency
First posted: Wednesday, December 24, 2014 12:19 PM EST | Updated: Wednesday, December 24, 2014 12:37 PM EST
Photo from Corpo forestale dello Stato (Italy's State Forestry Police)
An Italian circus has been busted for trying to pass two chow chow dogs off as panda bears.
The Orfei circus painted black circles on the fluffy white puppies and had them pose for pictures with children, the International Business Times reported.
Italian police were tipped off to the scam by an animal rights group.
The Animal Protection Party visited the circus undercover and found the dogs in disguise.
"We believe it's unacceptable to ridicule animals for entertainment and profit," Fabrizio Catelli said.
The circus is being investigated for animal mistreatment, but was allowed to keep the puppies as long as they aren't used in the show.
The IBT reported the animals were in good health, except for excessive eye watering caused by exposure to numerous camera flashes.
The circus denies all the allegations.
"It's obvious they are dogs," circus secretary, Riccardo Gravina told IBTimes UK.
"No animal was mistreated," he added. "They are like children to us."