Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

Meet the young woman who rescued what she thought was an injured stray dog – pictured here – on the outskirts of her home city has discovered it is actually a wild coyote.

Andrea Athie spotted the stray animal struggling with an injury on the outskirts of Ciudad Victoria in the north-eastern Mexican state of Tamaulipas.

Believing the ‘dog’ had been run over by a car, Athie took it to a nearby vet where it was confirmed the animal had injuries to its hind paws.

Vets also told Athie that the stray animal was not a dog but a wild coyote.

She told local media: “When I rescued it, I thought it looked a bit weird but I had no idea it was a coyote.

“I was told it was dangerous, but I insisted it was a dog.

“The coyote was run over by a motorist who did not stop to help the animal. It was limping on the side of the road.”

According to reports, the animal suffered injuries to both its hind paws and is currently being treated by the vet.

Athie said: “I never thought my story would be so popular online. We want to return the coyote to its natural habitat but it is not responding to the treatment and we want its paws to fully heal. We are searching for alternatives.”

She added: “It is a wild animal out of its natural habitat and it appears to be depressed, but we are still trying to treat it.”

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