The bears that Wang Kaiyu thought were dogs (CEN)

A Chinese man bought what he thought was a pair of adorable puppies and lovingly raised them for two years - before realising they were actually dangerous black bears.

Wang Kaiyu brought the animals back to his Maguan County, Yunnan Province, banana farm after being offered them by a tradesman on the Vietnamese border.

He claims he remained unaware of their true identities - even as they grew abnormally large and feasted on his farmland’s domestic fowl.

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One of the bears that is now at a rescue centre (CEN)

It was only when local wildlife authorities issued advice on what endangered animals could be in the area that he finally twigged, it’s claimed.

And he was stunned to discover his dogs were in fact Asian black bears - which are a protected species in China.

Worried he’d be busted for smuggling, he contacted the authorities and handed his fluffy friends over.

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The bears are a protected species in China (CEN)

Animal welfare officers checked over the male and female and found them to be healthy. They’ll now remain at a rescue centre for observation and breeding.

Kaiyu was praised for his honesty.

“I am pleased, I thought I might end up in jail and was really worried after I called them,” he was quoted as later saying.