Resident Brings Coyote to Police, Thinking It Was a Stray Puppy

A "concerned resident" found the furry critter "alone on the side of a busy road," police said

A suburban police department in Bartlett, Illinois, posted a photo of what appeared to be an adorable puppy on Twitter, with one catch: it was actually a coyote.

A "concerned resident" found the furry critter "alone on the side of a busy road," Bartlett police tweeted Thursday morning.

The resident brought the pup to the police, officials said, not realizing it was a young coyote.

"He was quite the attraction," Bartlett police said, adding that they turned the animal over to the Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn, a rehabilitation facility that provides care and medical treatment to injured and orphaned wild animals.

Adding to the blunder, the coyote pup was actually female. 

She had no obvious injuries but was dehydrated. She received fluids, food and supportive care. 

"If she progresses nicely and we don't find any other issues over the week, we will most likely transfer her to another rehabber who has young pups close to her size," Willowbrook said.

The wildlife center does not have any other coyotes in their care. 

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