Buford the dog helps rescue missing Arizona boy
Dog helps bring missing Arizona boy to safety
A dog named Buford helped save the day recently, as the dog is credited with helping to lead a missing two-year-old boy to safety in the Seligman area. FOX 10's Lindsey Ragas reports.
SELIGMAN, Ariz. - A dog is being credited with helping to find a young boy who went missing from his home overnight in northern Arizona.
What we know:
The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office says a 2-year-old boy, identified as Boden Allen, wandered off from his Seligman home on April 14.
A crew of over 40 people, along with deputies and Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers, responded to the boy's property. 16 hours into the search, a nearby rancher reported that a young child walked onto his property.
The child was later confirmed to be the missing boy.
Dog owner tells his story
On April 15, we caught up with Scotty Dunton, the owner of Buford.
What Dunton Is Saying:
Dunton said Buford is an Anatolian Pyrenees dog.
"He picked him up at least a mile out. I don't know how far past that, that he found him, but he hung with him and brought him back here. So, good dog," Dunton said.
At around 8:00 a.m., Dunton found the two standing at the main gate of his property.
"When I got the little kid to calm down, I asked him 'did you walk all night?' and he said, 'no I slept under a tree' and I said, 'did my dog find you?' and he said 'yep!' and I said, 'you just followed my dog? He goes 'yup' and the dog brought him over here," Dunton recounts.
Boden was found seven miles away from his home, and he spent hours walking alone through dangerous terrain. During the search, crews encountered two mountain lions in the area.
"It's rough country," Dunton said. "I mean, it's all you see. Big mountains and canyons. He went over three little mountain ranges to get here."
Dunton helped Boden until law enforcement arrived.
"He wanted string cheese, so I gave him two string cheese, and he drank about a gallon of water," Dunton recounted.
Dig deeper:
Boden was reunited with his family later on Tuesday. Dunton said Boden was in good shape despite everything he went through, having only suffered a scrape on his arm.
As far as how Boden wandered off, Dunton said Boden's mother was changing a sibling's diaper when Boden got away.
Buford and Boden reunited
On April 22, YCSO released video showing Buford being reunited with Boden.
"In a heartfelt reunion and small ceremony, YCSO presented an Honorary Search & Rescue Certificate and a vest to our four-legged friend," the sheriff's office said. "Buford has not only been a source of comfort to the family and community but has also played a vital role in representing the spirit of keeping our community safe. We also celebrated a young hero with a challenge coin, acknowledging their courageous spirit and commitment to helping others. Your bravery and kindness inspire us all!"