TWO raccoon dogs have been found less than half a mile away in the same South Lakeland village.

RSPCA officers were called to Burneside to rescue the animals, and the search is now on to find where they came from.

The first raccoon dog was found collapsed and breathing heavily, hiding under a van, at New Road.

The second raccoon dog was found hiding behind a bike in the garden of a house in Hollins Lane - less than half a mile from the location the previous one was found - and was collected by RSPCA inspector Sarah Hayland.

Both the male and female raccoon dogs have been taken to a boarding centre nearby for temporary holding. They are believed to be a pair. If the owner does not come forward then the animal welfare charity will look for a suitable home.

Inspector Hayland added: “It’s highly likely that these two raccoon dogs are pets who have escaped from the same home so we’ve made some enquiries as to whether they might be owned locally and have also registered them on PetsLocated.

“If anyone believes they know who they belong to then they can contact us on 0300 123 8018 and leave a message.”