Boy, three, who wandered off and got lost in the woods is followed by the family dog who protected him until police found them both safe
- Officers praised Buddy after he refused to leave the youngster’s side in Florida
- Images show the family dog being led back to his home on Tuesday afternoon
- Police were able to reunite the boy with his mom thanks to ‘man’s best friend’
- ‘A nearby neighbor called 911 and stated that he located a small child and dog in the woods, but the dog wouldn’t let him get near the child’, police said
- Facebook users were quick to heap praise on Buddy, with one writing: ‘That awesome dog was just taking care of his little human!’
A three-year-old boy who wandered off and got lost in the woods was followed by the family dog who protected him until police found them both safe.
Officers praised Buddy, who looks to be a Pitbull breed, after he refused to leave the youngster’s side and even warned off a neighbor who spotted the pair.
Images show the pet being led back to his home in Florida on Tuesday afternoon and the boy in the arms of an officer after he was found.
In a statement the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office said they were able to reunite the youngster with his mom thanks to ‘man’s best friend’.
Officers praised Buddy, pictured with officers, after he refused to leave the youngster’s side and even warned off a neighbor who spotted the pair
Images show the pet being led back to his home in Florida and the boy in the arms of an officer after he was found. In a statement the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office said they were able to reunite the youngster with his mom thanks to ‘man’s best friend’
Police said the boy’s mother had been ‘frantic’ when she first called 911, telling operators her son had been playing outside with his siblings before he ‘wandered away’.
They added: ‘The mother told the Dispatcher that the family’s dog, Buddy, was also missing, and presumed to be with the child.’
Patrol Deputies and Investigators with the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office along with K9 units from Suwannee Correctional Institution then responded to the home and began searching for the lost child.
The police statement added: ‘A short while later, a nearby neighbor called 911 and stated that he located a small child and dog in the woods, but the dog wouldn’t let him get near the child.
‘Fortunately, we were able to reunite the child with his mother, thanks in part to ‘man’s best friend’ and an alert neighbor.
‘#givethatdogabone#mansbestfriend#LassieaintgotnothingonBuddy.’
Facebook users were quick to heap praise on Buddy in the wake of his efforts
Facebook users were quick to heap praise on Buddy, with Peggy Smith writing: ‘He is definitely struttin home. What a great dog. Exactly what pitties do.’
Amy Everson added: ‘That awesome dog was just taking care of his little human!’
And Peggy Sweat said: ‘Wow so glad the little one is safe. Awesome dog. That pup needs the dog of the year award. And anything he wants. Spa day for him.’