The RCMP are looking for the owner of a dog that was rescued from a pond in Lake Echo, N.S.

RCMP officers responded to a call from a concerned citizen regarding a distressed dog on Highway 7 shortly after midnight Wednesday.

Police say they heard a loud whimpering from a nearby wooded area and discovered a small dog in a partially frozen pond.

The dog wasn’t moving and police say it was unclear whether the animal was injured or stuck in snow and ice.

An officer entered the pond, rescued the dog and placed it in a patrol jacket. Police say the dog was favouring a hind leg, but was otherwise OK.

The officers took the dog to the Metro Animal Emergency Clinic in Dartmouth for treatment. Officials determined the female Sheltie mix is roughly 10 years old and had been on its own for some time.

Police say there was no collar or microchip to identify the dog and they determined it was favouring its hind leg because of arthritis.

Once in stable condition, the dog was taken to the Homeward Bound City Pound.

Investigators are canvassing the neighbourhood to attempt to locate the dog’s owner. Meanwhile, they are reminding pet owners to keep animals indoors overnight during the winter months.