A stray raccoon has been rescued by the DSPCA after it was found in the back garden of a house in Dublin.
The male raccoon had escaped from its enclosure in a neighbouring property in South Dublin and was described by DSPCA officers as "hungry and threatening a small dog".
Under current animal welfare legislation exotic animals can be bought and sold freely in Ireland.
The DSPCA's Gillian Bird is now appealing to the public not to buy exotic pets unless they understand the care required:
