A RACCOON Dog who had recently been rehomed at Tropiquaria is missing after the animal was believed to be stolen and/or released on Friday night (September 12).

Staff at the Watchet zoo have made a desperate plea to the public to help find the female animal and return it.

Director Chris Mosier and staff were made aware of the incident on Saturday morning at around 9.30am when they went to check on the animals in the area.

Substantial damage had been caused to a wire panel on the cage complex where the raccoon dog or Tanuki was kept.

A steel bar had been pulled from the perimeter fence to gain access to the grounds.

Police are investigating the incident, which is believed to have happened between 8pm and 2am that evening.

Mr Mosier said: “The animals name is Tanuki, which is also the Japanese name for the species; she was a rescue animal that had been homed with us for a couple of months only.

“Despite the fact that they are not suitable as pets this one clearly had been and we were walking her on a lead to get her used to meeting people so that we could show that they are not appropriate pets.

“Although the arrival of the animal had been reported in the local newspapers only a few days before she disappeared, she was not on show to the public, and other than the keeping staff only half a dozen people were aware of where the animal was being kept.

“It was also not the easiest place to get to, from either the road or through the zoo grounds with high fences and locked gates to negotiate.

“Because of the size and colouring of the animal releasing it during the badger cull is an act of crass stupidity and obviously puts the animal at some risk.

“If it was done as some misguided attempt to draw publicity to the kill or to hamper the efforts locally it will surely backfire.

If seen she should be locked in any building if possible and Tropiquaria telephoned straight away.

“She does not bite if approached correctly, but might bite if wrongly handled, but she is not a dangerous animal.”

Anyone with information should contact the police by calling 101 and quoting the incident number 94947/14.

You can also contact Tropiquaria if you have any information of sightings of the Tanuki by calling 07751-363198.