Animal allied to the skunk? (6)

I believe the answer is:

coyote

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'animal' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for coyote that I've seen before include "N. American wild dog" , "North American wild dog" , "Beast" , "Wolf-like animal" , "Wolf-like wild dog" .)

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