Skunk on the run found under garden decking

The skunk was trapped by an RSPCA officer on Sunday

A skunk believed to be an escaped pet has been rescued from underneath decking in a back garden.

The RSPCA said the mammal, described as in "immaculate condition", was discovered in the garden of a house in Nassington, in Northamptonshire, close to Peterborough, on Sunday.

The home owner contacted the charity after spotting the animal, which can squirt a foul smelling spray. It was caught in a fox trap the following day.

The RSPCA said it was an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 "to release skunks or allow them to escape into the wild because they are not a native species in the UK".

Skunks love to wander and roam and can be kept as pets in the UK

It was being looked after at the Exotic Pet Refuge, an animal rescue and rehabilitation centre in Deeping St James, Lincolnshire.

Hollie Morrall, an animal rescue officer who set up the trap, said: "We're pretty certain that this skunk is an escaped pet, but if not the skunk may have escaped from another setting, such as a rescue centre or a zoo."

She said it could have travelled some distance, as skunks can move up to three miles (5km) a night.

'Novelty wears off'

The RSPCA dealt with an escaped skunk last year that had travelled from Market Harborough, Leicestershire, to Corby, a journey of over 11 miles (18km), she said.

"This skunk is in immaculate condition and appears to be in good health, although they are not microchipped and we have no way of knowing how they came to be at this location."

She appealed for anyone with any information about the wild animal, which originates in North America, to get in touch.

Evie Button, senior scientific officer, said the charity had "dealt with a number of call-outs to stray pet skunks that have escaped or been deliberately released to the wild".

She added: "We believe that people may buy exotic animals, such as skunks, with little idea of how difficult they can be to keep and we get called in when the novelty wears off."

She recommended that prospective pet owners research how to look after the animal before getting one.