A pitbull puppy left to die in freezing waters has been nursed back to health and adopted by a police officer.

The dog, now named River, was left under a bridge in Daytona Beach, Florida, in below freezing temperatures.

Thankfully an anonymous call was made and animal control officers John Pearson and James Lee rescued the shivering pup.

In a post on their Facebook page, Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) said: "We really want to thank the person, whoever you are, who called and let DBPD know that River had been left to die under the Seabreeze Bridge in mid-January."

Despite her traumatic ordeal River is said to be in good health and has since been adopted by a Daytona Beach police officer, who regularly visited her while she was recuperating.