Dogs painted to look like pandas seized from Italian circus

Two dogs have been seized from an Italian circus after they were painted to look like pandas and used to pose for pictures with visiting children.

The two white chow chow dogs had black patches dyed on their ears and across their backs and were then made available for pictures before and after the main circus show.

The dogs are in good health but a statement from the Italian State Forestry Corps said: "they show a marked watery eyes probably aggravated by the constant flashes the flash to which they were exposed."

Investigations by the authorities found that the dogs had false passports and had been imported from Hungary.

The owner was sued for use of false documents but investigations continue into allegations of mistreatment and the actual origin of the dogs.

The owners may also face charges of fraud over the deception.