A KINDHEARTED animal lover told how she rescued a sick dog hiding on her porch but was left in shock when it turned out to be something much more dangerous.

       Sharon Bertozzi found the ill animal hiding behind a ceramic vase by the front door of her house in California and mistook it for a dog.

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       A woman found a sick 'dog' on her front porch Credit: Facebook/FolsomAnimalServices 3

       The animal was so sick that at first glance was mistaken for a dog Credit: Facebook/FolsomAnimalServices

       The injured beast remained in her place, cowering for four hours.

       Bertozzi called for help, saying: "My heart just ached for her".

       Officers with the City of Folsom Animal Services arrived at the scene to identify and pick up the animal.

       She was so sick that at first glance it was hard to discern her from a dog.

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       "At first this was thought to be an old, very sick dog," the department wrote on Facebook.

       But upon closer inspection, they realised they've encountered a wild animal.

       "It is really a young coyote with a really bad case of mange.

       "This one was taken because [she] was right by the door to a house and was not wanting to leave."

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       The rescuers named the young coyote Princess and transported her to the Gold Country Wildlife Rescue (GCWR) in Loomis, California.

       There Princess was given further treatment for her severe case of mange and dehydration.

       Mange is a skin disease caused by mites that can lead to hair loss, intense itching and skin irritation.

       "Upon arrival at Gold Country's Wildlife Intake Center, this young female coyote was given rehydration fluids and medications for sarcoptic mange and itching," Sallysue Stein, president of GCWR's board of directors, told The Dodo.

       Princess was bathed to help remove some of her dead skin and make her feel more comfortable.

       She then spent the night at the rescue where she would stay for a few months until complete recovery.

       Stein said: " The next morning we were pleased to see that she drank all of the water and special diet food we had left with her overnight.

       "She started scratching less and eating more."

       The young coyote would be released back into the wild when she had become better.

       "She is now back on a natural diet, gaining weight and showing improvement in her skin," Stein said.

       "We feel confident that she is on the road to a full recovery."

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       Princess was saved and given treatment for dehydration and skin irritation Credit: Gold Country Wildlife Rescue

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