Hero dog leads officers to missing 3-year-old in Kentucky

Newly released body cam footage shows a neighborhood dog guiding police to a child trapped in a car

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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After a frantic search was launched for a missing 3-year-old boy in Louisville, Kentucky, an unexpected hero appeared to save the day. A neighborhood dog helped authorities find the child, who was trapped inside a car, by leading police officers straight to the vehicle's location.

Why it matters

This dramatic rescue highlights the important role animals can play in emergency situations and the value of community members working together with law enforcement to find missing persons. The incident also underscores the need for vigilance and quick action when a child goes missing.

The details

More than half a dozen officers from the Louisville Metro Police Department responded on January 7th after receiving a report of a missing young child. They searched on foot, with a drone, and a helicopter, but had no luck until a dog appeared and started barking at one of the responding officers, leading them straight to a car where the 3-year-old was found unharmed inside.

  • On January 7th, the Louisville Metro Police Department received a report of a missing 3-year-old child.
  • The officers launched an urgent search that day to locate the missing child.

The players

Louisville Metro Police Department

The local police department that responded to the report of a missing child and conducted the search that led to the child's rescue.

Officer Josh Thompson

One of the responding officers who followed the neighborhood dog to the location of the missing child.

The Neighborhood Dog

An unidentified dog that appeared and led the police officers straight to the location of the missing 3-year-old child.

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What they’re saying

“As I'm walking to the front, the craziest thing happened. There's a dog. It would bark at me to tell me to hurry up. It led me all the way to the backyard. At that point I'm thinking, OK, this kid's in the backyard.”

— Officer Josh Thompson (cbsnews.com)

“I don't think I've ever seen a happier kid in my life. He jumped out of the car, bear hugged my neck and wouldn't let go.”

— Officer Josh Thompson (cbsnews.com)

“I don't know where the dog came from, but it was a blessing from God that day.”

— Officer Josh Thompson (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The Louisville Metro Police Department is investigating the incident to determine the identity of the neighborhood dog and whether it has an owner.

The takeaway

This heroic act by a neighborhood dog serves as a powerful reminder of the important role animals can play in emergency situations and the value of community members working together with law enforcement to protect the most vulnerable. The incident highlights the need for vigilance and quick action when a child goes missing.