According to the scientists the data shows that the covid samples collected from a shop involved in wildlife trade also contained raccoon dog genes, indicating that the animal may have Got infected with the virus. His analysis first appeared in ‘The Atlantic’. “It’s very likely that the animal whose DNA was in the sample also carried the virus,” said Stephen Goldstein, a virologist at the University of Utah who analyzed the data. Raccoon dogs are often bred for their hair. and is sold for meat in animal markets throughout China.