US weather latest: Dog frozen solid on Ohio doorstep amid arctic conditions

Animal protection workers are investigating after a dog was found “frozen solid” on a porch in Toledo, Ohio.

The dead animal, believed to be a three-year-old American Bulldog, was found curled up outside a house in King Street in the city by the Toledo Area Humane Society, which works to prevent cruelty to animals.

“I don’t know how long she was out there, she was frozen solid,” Megan Brown, an investigator for the organisation told local newspaper The Blade.

Another American Bulldog, reportedly a four-year-old male, was also found inside the house, which Ms Brown said was “shivering”. It was so malnourished its spine and ribs were prominent and neither dog had food or water, she added.

Owner Victor Vallejo Sr, 40, told the newspaper he was not staying at the house, but had been going back to feed the animals.

He last saw them two or three days previously and had left them with food and water, yet utilities to the house had been shut off, he said.

“I kind of fell on some bad times,” he said.

Mr Vallejo said the female dog was called Nanas, while the male was referred to as Haze, and he intended to breed them. He was not sure how Nanas could have got out of the house, which was locked, he said..

Ms Brown said Haze appeared to be in good health, apart from being underweight and dehydrated when he was found.

The Toledo Area Human Society was pursing pressing animal cruelty charges against Mr Vallejo.