A kind family got more than they bargained for when the stray ‘puppy’ they rescued from the streets turned out to be a baby coyote – but luckily the Cape Wildlife Center in Massachusetts knew exactly what to do

A family thought they were doing a good deed by rescuing a ‘distressed’ puppy that had been abandoned on the side of the road – but it wasn’t actually a dog at all.

The lost pup took everyone by surprise and turned out to be a baby coyote.

After realizing their confusion, the unnamed family called their local wildlife center for help and got the adorable animal into good hands.

The Cape Wildlife Center in Massachusetts confirmed it was an eastern coyote that had been separated from its pack.

In a Facebook post, officials explained, “He was then accidentally taken home by a local family after they mistakenly identified him as a lost puppy.”

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Dozens of Facebook followers agreed it was an easy misunderstanding, with one saying, “I can see how you can mistake him for a puppy. He’s really cute. “

Many more have shared their mixed experiences with finding wild coyotes.

A lady rescued a whole litter of coyote puppies, but warned they had become aggressive.

Another disagreed and said their coyote was ‘never vicious or even nippy’ and lived happily with his family for 16 years.

Wildlife center personnel were able to determine that the coyote had not been exposed to rabies and was cleared for treatment by the Mass Department of Public Health.

The animal is “comfortably recovering” in an isolation ward on its own, but will soon be introduced to a foster sibling.

“Once both puppies have received their shots, they will be raised together and given a chance to grow and learn natural behaviors in our large outdoor crate,” officials said.

“We work hard to give them as natural an upbringing as possible, and we will strive to replicate the essential behaviors and skills they learn from mom and dad.”

The center explained that this case had a “happy ending” but that it could “easily have turned out differently”.

Coyotes are considered a rabies vector species in Massachusetts, which means that if finders had been “bitten, scratched, or had prolonged contact,” they would have been forced to euthanize the pup.

“We are grateful to each person who takes time out of their day to help wildlife when they need it, but we always encourage people to call the appropriate resources before responding, this can help keep all wildlife safe. involved persons !” add the center.

The Cape Wildlife Center has promised to share coyote progress updates on its Facebook page.

This isn’t the first coyote to be mistaken for a pup – Andrea Athie took an injured dog to the vet before discovering it was actually a wild coyote.

She said: “He was never aggressive. He let himself be petted but we all know he’s a wild animal and couldn’t live with us.”

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