A zoo in Henan Province, China has come under fire for using fake animals after trying to pass off dogs as lions.

The local newspaper reported that the zoo, located in People's Park, Luohe, had been caught trying to pass off a Tibetan mastiff as an "African lion".

One customer recounted how he tried to play along, telling his young son it was a special kind of lion. But the illusion was shattered when the lion started barking.
In other parts of the zoo, foxes were on display as leopards, wolves were dogs and in the most blatant act of dishonesty a couple of rats were on display inside the snake exhibit.

One disgruntled visitor told reporters that 'to use a dog to impersonate a lion is definitely an insult to tourists.'
Another said 'The zoo is absolutely cheating us. They are trying to disguise the dogs as lions.'
An administrator at the zoo told visitors that the dog was a friend of the lion, which had been transferred to another zoo to breed.
The head of the People's Park where the zoo is located said that private contractors were responsible for running the zoo.

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