'Genetic experiment' terrifies Chinese city as residents fear mysterious animal is escapee from nearby research centre

With a mohawk-style plume of hair and pink flesh covered in leopard-esque spots, the mysterious animal terrified locals in Xinxiang, Henan province

Xinxiang is close to several scientific research centres and a local medical school - and locals became convinced the creature was an experiment gone wrong, on the run from a nearby lab.

One witness said: ‘The pink skin makes it look just like pig gone wrong in some sort of genetic experiment.’

Xinxiang is close to several scientific research centres and a local medical school - and locals became convinced the creature was an experiment gone wrong, on the run from a nearby lab

One witness said: 'The pink skin makes it look just like pig gone wrong in some sort of genetic experiment'

But police say the dog is actually a pedigree breed called a Chinese crested hairless dog is a pet - and expensive.

‘It is definitely a dog, and quite an expensive one at that,’ said a spokesman.

The bizarre breed with just tufts of hair on its head and tail and a bare, spotted body regularly features as a contender in the World's Ugliest Dog contest.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2156362/Genetically-modified-pig-terrifies-Chinese-city-residents-fear-mysterious-animal-escapee-nearby-research-centre.html