DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) -- Officials are urging Central Virginians to pay special attention to their pets after a winter storm blew trough Tuesday afternoon and early Wednesday morning.
Firefighters and animal control officers rescued a 100-pound dog from a pond in Dinwiddie County early Wednesday morning.
The animal's owner, who had let his two pets outside to do their business, realized the pair had walked onto a two-acre frozen pond when he called them to come back inside.
One of the dogs managed to walk off the pond, but the heavier dog fell through the ice. [RELATED: Video shows man saving dog from icy Swift Creek Reservoir]
Four firefighters in a boat eventually managed to haul the dog out of the water and after being checked out by a vet, his owners were able to take him home.
Animal control officers said it is important to keep a close eye on pets during this extreme weather.
Across Central Virginia, animal control units have responded to more than a dozen complaints of animal cruelty but no citations have been issued.
While it is not illegal to leave dogs outside in severe weather, certain regulations must be followed, including proper shelter for the animal so it is able to stay warm.
And if you find a pet during extreme cold weather, it is important to contact your local animal control.
