Charlotte firefighters rescue dog from frozen pond

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — [PHOTOS: Charlotte firefighters rescue dog from frozen pond]

[Calls increase for pets left outside in dangerous temperatures]

Animal Control told Channel 9 no microchip was found on the dog which weighs about 90 pounds. Officials said the animal appeared to be well-fed and cared for but did not have a collar. (WSOCTV.com)

Fire crews managed to pull the dog out of the icy water and brought the animal to the fire department where they helped him warm up. (WSOCTV.com)

[ [RELATED: Woman left dog tied to outside bench in freezing cold] ]

Animal Control officers will be out in force Thursday, looking for dogs that may be left outside in freezing conditions. Channel 9 tagged along with an officer Wednesday while he checked on pets that were left outside.

Residents at an apartment complex called 911 after they heard the dog barking and whimpering. When rescuers arrived, they found the large Husky/Malamute stuck in the pond after falling through the ice. (WSOCTV.com)

From Dec. 24 through Dec. 29, officers responded to 29 weather-related animal cruelty calls. Over the past five days, those calls spiked to 47 calls.

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