But Jack Russell Chewy and King George Spaniel Tilly got more than they bargained for, reports the Bradford Telegraph and Argus.

Mr Bennett, 59, said: "As soon as I got close I could see it was a skunk. Chewy had it cornered before I got to him and got sprayed. It smelt awful.

"He still smells of it and I have bathed him and the spaniel because it got him as well."

Mr Bennett called the RSPCA to capture the skunk, which was thousands of miles away from its usual habitat.

RSPCA inspector Dave Holgate said: "The skunk is in reasonable body condition which makes me think it's either recently escaped or it's been dumped.

"Thankfully we managed to avoid being sprayed, which is a really unpleasant experience, though the dog that first came across it wasn't so lucky."

The skunk is being cared for by the RSPCA until an appropriate home can be found.