Raccoon dogs under scrutiny in COVID-19 origins investigation.
Genetic material collected at a Chinese market near where the first human cases of COVID-19 were identified show raccoon dog DNA commingled with the virus, adding evidence to the theory that the virus originated from animals, not from a lab, international experts say. Raccoon dogs are not closely related to raccoons but are members of the canid family, most closely related to foxes. They are often bred for their fur and sold for meat in animal markets across China. The mingling of DNA from the virus and from raccoon dogs is a strong indication that the mammals, reportedly sold live in the food market and known to be susceptible to coronaviruses, were infected.