This footage shows shocked police officers who were doing a routine search at a man's home discovering a small bear cub being kept in his basement.

The incident occurred in Volzhsky District in Samara Oblast, Russia, and the footage was released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs on Thursday, 5th June.

Police said they were conducting investigative activities at the home when they noticed the owner's dog behaving unusually.

The dog repeatedly ran to the front door of a basement, prompting officers to ask the man to open it.

When the door was opened, a small bear cub ran out.

The homeowner claimed he had found the lonely cub on the roadside while he was driving and decided to bring it home.

Police immediately reported the incident to the Environmental Prosecutor's Office.

Authorities took custody of the cub and confirmed it would be transferred to a zoo.

Irina Volk, spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, confirmed the sequence of events.

Keeping wild animals like bears and tigers as pets was banned in Russia as of 2020.

The identity of the man has not been disclosed, and it is unclear whether he will face any legal consequences.

(Dushko Kochoski/newsX)