Dog Leads Kentucky Police to Missing 3-Year-Old

Louisville officers credit a neighborhood dog with reuniting a worried family

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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In a missing child case in Louisville, Kentucky, a neighborhood dog led police officers to a 3-year-old boy who had gone missing. The officers had been searching the area on foot, by drone, and by air unit, when they learned a resident had seen the child at another home. Following the dog, the officers found the child safe inside a vehicle in the home's driveway.

Why it matters

The successful rescue highlights the important role that community members and even animals can play in assisting law enforcement during critical missing persons cases, especially for young children. It also underscores the value of thorough neighborhood canvassing and follow-up when initial searches prove inconclusive.

The details

After the 3-year-old boy was reported missing, Louisville Metro Police officers searched the area extensively. They eventually learned that a nearby resident had seen the child at another home in the neighborhood. As an officer approached that home, a dog started walking with him and then ran to the backyard, drawing the officer's attention. The dog led the officer to a vehicle in the driveway, where the missing child was found safe inside the front seat.

  • On January 7, the 3-year-old boy was reported missing in Louisville, Kentucky.
  • The search and rescue operation took place the same day the child was reported missing.

The players

Louisville Metro Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in Louisville, Kentucky that responded to the missing child report and coordinated the successful search and rescue effort.

Josh Thompson

A Louisville Metro Police officer who was involved in the search and credited the neighborhood dog with leading them to the missing child.

Jonathan Story

A Louisville Metro Police officer who followed the dog to the vehicle where the missing child was found.

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What they’re saying

“Anytime you have a kid that young [go missing], you know, you're fearful. In that situation, when there's a missing kid under the age of 11, if you aren't on a run actively, everyone goes to it.”

— Josh Thompson, Louisville Metro Police Officer (ksn.com)

“As I'm walking to the front, the craziest thing happens, there's a dog that starts walking with me. I'm like, 'Hey, let's go find this kid,' and the dog immediately spins, runs off the front porch and is leading me back to the backyard of this house.”

— Josh Thompson, Louisville Metro Police Officer (ksn.com)

“The next thing I heard was Story yell, 'He's right here, I got him.'”

— Josh Thompson, Louisville Metro Police Officer (ksn.com)

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

— Josh Thompson, Louisville Metro Police Officer (ksn.com)

“I don't know where the dog came from. But it was a blessing from God.”

— Josh Thompson, Louisville Metro Police Officer (ksn.com)

What’s next

The Louisville Metro Police Department will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the child's disappearance to ensure there were no safety concerns.

The takeaway

This heartwarming rescue demonstrates the power of community involvement and the unexpected heroism that can come from even the most unlikely sources, like a neighborhood dog, when a child's safety is at risk. It serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough search efforts and the value of vigilant residents in helping law enforcement locate missing persons.