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Search for raccoon dog on the loose for weeks

Catriona Aitken
BBC News
Natural Resources Wales A raccoon dog which is a fox-like creature with pointy ears and long brown fur. It is stood in a field of long grass and staring directly at the camera.Natural Resources Wales
This is an example of a raccoon dog, which can roam in the wild and be "unpredictable", according to NRW

A search is under way for an "unpredictable" raccoon dog which is on the loose in north Wales.

The animal was last spotted south-east of Llyn Tegid, Gwynedd on 29 January, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said.

Raccoon dogs are considered to be invasive non-native species which can negatively affect native wildlife - it is therefore illegal to breed or sell them in the UK and existing raccoon dogs must be kept securely.

People are being urged not to approach the animal and to report any sightings, "dead or alive", to NRW.

Raccoon dogs roam in the wild, so it is believed the animal could be spotted more than eight miles from Llyn Tegid.

NRW added they were small, nocturnal fox sized animals, originally from East Asia which ate fruit, insects, rodents, frogs, birds.

"As with any animal, their behaviour may be unpredictable and are not to be approached," it said.