New York police have pulled an unexpected wild creature from a river.
After receiving a report from a dog struggling in strong current of the East River on April 10, New York City police officers responded to the area to provide assistance, according to a statement posted on Twitter by the NYPD 19th Precinct.
Coyotes are common in NYC, but one swimming in the East River is not!
Our officers responded to a call of a distressed “dog” battling river currents, but realized it was actually a coyote! Thanks to NYPD Harbor for coming to the rescue — he’s now in the care of veterinarians. pic.twitter.com/6t4TCUWlL7
— NYPD 19th Precinct (@NYPD19Pct) April 10, 2023
However, when officers pulled up next to the animal in a boat, they discovered it was not a dog, but a coyote, police said.
Video released by police shows officers hoisting the wet animal out of the river using a snare pole.
The coyote was taken to a veterinarian, police said.
“Coyotes are common in New York, but one swimming in the East River is not,” police said.
According to the city’s website, coyotes, a species of wild dog closely related to wolves, inhabit several New York City boroughs.
In order to coexist safely with animals, city residents are encouraged to store trash in secure containers and keep pets on leashes when outdoors, the city said.
A real dog was pulled from a New York river in December after a remarkable journey.
A dog named Bear escaped from its owner in Manhattan and swam across the Hudson River to New Jersey, according to previous reports from McClatchy News. He was rescued three days after his escape.
