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WATCH ABOVE: A 2-year-old from Chile was spotted at a mechanic’s workshop being breastfed by a dog. It’s believed the dog may have saved the boy’s life.

SANTIAGO, Chile – Chilean police say they have rescued a malnourished 2-year-old boy found being breastfed by a neighbour’s dog.

The national police says a witness spotted the dog feeding the boy at a mechanic’s workshop on Thursday in the desert port of Arica, some 2,000 kilometres north of the capital, Santiago. Police say they confirmed that.

Capt. Diego Gajardo tells The Associated Press that the child was released from a hospital Friday is under the care of child welfare authorities.

Gajardo says the mother showed up at the hospital drunk, but she has not been arrested because there was not physical harm to the child.

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A family court hearing on Sept. 22 will determine who cares for the child.

Local news media identified the dog’s name as “Reina.”