Crossword Genius

The beasts are backward, having broken toes (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

coyotes

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the beasts' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'backward having broken toes' is the wordplay.
'backward' becomes 'coy' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'having broken' is an anagram indicator.
'toes' with letters rearranged gives 'otes'.
'coy'+'otes'='COYOTES'

'are' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for coyotes that I've seen before include "Prairie wolves" , "American prairie dogs" , "North American predators" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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