Neighborhood Dog Helps Police Find Missing Toddler

Bodycam footage captures the dog leading officers to the child, who was found safe inside a nearby vehicle.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A neighborhood dog in Louisville, Kentucky is being hailed as a hero after helping police locate a missing 3-year-old child. Bodycam footage shows the dog barking and leading officers to the backyard of a home, where they found the toddler safe inside a nearby vehicle.

Why it matters

The dog's actions highlight the valuable role animals can play in search and rescue operations, especially when it comes to locating missing children. This incident also underscores the strong bond between humans and their canine companions, and the potential for dogs to assist law enforcement in critical situations.

The details

Police had been searching the area on foot, using drones and helicopter support, when a neighbor told them a child was seen heading toward a nearby property. As officers approached the home, a barking dog came into view and continued leading them to the backyard, where they found the backdoor open. However, the dog directed them to a nearby vehicle, where they discovered the missing 3-year-old boy, scared but unharmed.

  • On January 7, the Louisville Metro Police Department responded to a report of a missing 3-year-old child.
  • The dog led police to the missing toddler later that same day.

The players

Louisville Metro Police Department

The local police department that responded to the report of the missing child and whose bodycam footage captured the dog leading officers to the toddler.

Neighborhood Dog

An unidentified dog in the Louisville neighborhood who barked and led police to the location of the missing 3-year-old child.

Missing 3-Year-Old Child

The toddler who went missing and was ultimately found safe inside a nearby vehicle thanks to the actions of the neighborhood dog.

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What they’re saying

“Any time you have a kid that young, you're fearful. When it's a missing kid under the age of 11, if you're not on a run actively, everyone goes to it.”

— Officer Josh Thompson, Louisville Metro Police Department (Newsweek)

“Lassie found him!”

— Police Officer (Newsweek)

What’s next

The Louisville Metro Police Department is expected to honor the neighborhood dog for its heroic actions in helping locate the missing toddler.

The takeaway

This incident showcases the invaluable role that dogs can play in search and rescue operations, particularly when it comes to finding missing children. The strong bond between humans and canines was on full display, and the neighborhood dog's actions serve as a heartwarming reminder of the potential for our four-legged friends to be true heroes.