Dogs Passed Off As Pandas - The management of a circus in northern Italy are in the grips of the law after they were found to have illegally painted and presented two young Chow Chow dogs as pandas.

Reports indicate that on Friday, Dec. 19, during a show at the Orfei Circus in Brescia, police raided the circus and discovered the two dogs being passed off as pandas. The police had been tipped by volunteer members of the Animal Protection Party, who visited the circus to check on animal abuse.

The chairman of APP Fabrizio Catell told the local press that the true identity of the dogs passed off as pandas was very apparent to representatives of his party who alerted the authorities. "We believe it's unacceptable to ridicule animals for entertainment and profit," he said.

Police say the management of Orfei Circus told incredulous customers that the dogs passed off as pandas were a rare half dog, half panda mix.

The raid on Orfei Circus was jointly coordinated by the Italian State Forestry, law enforcement officials and veterinary staff.

"Two puppies, one male and one female from the white coat, belonging to the bred chow chow, were made up and dressed as pandas and exhibited to the public, especially children, to take pictures for a fee," a statement from the state forestry office reads.

Although the dogs passed off as pandas appear to be in good health, investigators say their eyes were very watery. Officials have speculated that this was likely caused by their repeated exposure to flashing cameras.

It is unclear how long the dogs have been used in the circus. After making the bust, officials checked on the dogs and returned them to the circus with a declaration that strictly prohibited their use in future performances. The management of Orfei Circus has been sued for the use of false documentation for the dogs passed off as pandas. They were reportedly six months younger than they were registered to be.

Officials are also investigating to back up charges of mistreatment and fraud against the circus for the dog passed off as pandas. The investigation is also expected to shed light on the origin of the dogs passed off as pandas, who are thought to have been brought to Italy from Hungary.

Meanwhile, the secretary of Orfei Circus Riccardo Gravina has denied the charges. He told IBTimes that it was always obvious the dogs passed off as pandas were dogs. "No animal was mistreated. They are like children to us," he said.