HOWL ABOUT THAT: NYPD Mistakenly Saves Coyote, Believing It Was Dog In Distress

This dramatic footage shows NYPD officers rescuing a stranded coyote which they initially thought was a dog after reports about it falling in the East River.

The NYPD 19th Precinct's Harbor Unit responded to the scene and used a catch pole to rescue the animal from the strong currents.

The female coyote was subsequently examined by a veterinarian and handed over to New York Animal Care Centers, which will return her to the wild.

The precinct noted that while coyotes are common in New York City, finding one swimming in the East River is a rare occurrence.