Two dogs painted to look like baby pandas were seized from a circus in Brescia, Italy.

The chu chus, one male and one female, had been daubed with black paint on their ears and back, and were used to pose with children for photos for a fee.

Investigations show that both animals were illegally imported from Hungary, and suffered from watery eyes as a result of extended exposure to camera flashes.

The owner has been charged for the use of false passports for the dogs, and may face further punishment for animal abuse and fraud.