WILBRAHAM, Mass. -- Controversy is building in the town of Wilbraham, Massachusetts after a dog was seen in icy water, but it was no accident.
Pictures and video surfaced on social media of Saturday's "Polar Plunge" event, showing a Labrador in the water.
More than 150 people were at Spec pond for the event, WGGB reports, which raised money for Special Olympics Massachsuetts.
Photos of the six-year-old dog, Lincoln, went viral. People across the country contacted the town and police department. Many expressed concern that the incident was an act of animal cruelty.
The town responded with a two-page statement, saying that Lincoln was seen by a licensed veterinarian at a nearby animal hospital. Police investigators also examined the photos and videos posted on social media.
The MSPCA Law Enforcement division also investigated and concluded that there was no malicious intent to hurt the dog, so this --according to them-- was not an instance of animal cruelty as defined by Massachusetts law.
The dog's owner will not be charged.