Baffled rescuers free dog mysteriously found with its tail and legs frozen into the middle of giant lake – but are then criticised for letting it go and not taking it to a shelter

  • The Moscow Watchdog was gently freed from the ice lake after it got stuck
  • A rescue patrol reached the dog on a hovercraft when patrolling in Chita city
  • Mystery remains as to why the well-cared for dog was marooned on Lake Kenon 

By Will Stewart and Claire Anderson For Mailonline

Published: 05:16 EST, 12 November 2018 | Updated: 05:28 EST, 12 November 2018

This is the heartwarming moment a dog is rescued from the ice on a Siberian lake after its tail and hind legs froze to the spot.

The stranded Moscow Watchdog, a cross between the St Bernard and the Caucasian Shepherd, was gently freed by a rescue patrol who got to it on a hovercraft.

However, a mystery remains as to why the well-cared for dog was marooned on Lake Kenon near Chita city, almost 3,000 miles east of Moscow.  

People have speculated that the dog's master may have been fishing and fallen into the freezing water but no obvious traces of a human being there has been found.  

Another thought is that the animal was abandoned by a cruel owner on the ice amid -2C temperatures that day. 

Rescuers from the TransBaikal firefighters warmed up the dog before feeding it.

A Moscow watchdog is gently freed after it was found frozen to the ice in Siberia last month

A Moscow watchdog is gently freed after it was found frozen to the ice in Siberia last month

TransBaikal firefighters found the marooned pet on Lake Kenon near Chita City when on patrol

TransBaikal firefighters found the marooned pet on Lake Kenon near Chita City when on patrol

However, they later released the animal on to the streets.

A source told the Siberian Times: 'No owner came to claim the animal. It was allowed to go on its way.'  

There was social media criticism as to why no effort was made to find the dog a good home or have it taken to a shelter.

Its fate after its dramatic rescue is now unknown.

Mystery remains as to why the well-cared for dog was marooned on the ice during -2C weather

Mystery remains as to why the well-cared for dog was marooned on the ice during -2C weather

The rescue team released the dog onto the streets after an owner didn't come to collect it 

The rescue team released the dog onto the streets after an owner didn't come to collect it 

Advertisement

Baffled rescuers free dog mysteriously found with its tail and legs frozen into the middle of lake

Most watched News videos

Comments 4

Share what you think

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

What's This?

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.