Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Officials in Wales are asking residents to be on the lookout for a raccoon dog on the loose in the country.
Natural Resources Wales said the raccoon dog, an animal with a raccoon-like face that is actually more closely related to foxes, was last seen southeast of Llyn Tegid, Gwynedd, on Jan. 29.
The organization said raccoon dogs, native to East Asia, are known to travel long distances in the wild.
New rules took effect in 2019 banning raccoon dogs from being bred or sold in Britain. Raccoon dogs that were already being kept as pets when the rules went into place were allowed to remain.
The RSPCA said the animals are considered invasive and could pose a danger to native wildlife.
Natural Resources Wales is asking members of the public to report any sightings and warning residents not to approach the animal if spotted.
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