Missing toddler found in wilderness is protected and led to safety by dog
After a 16 hour search, a 2-year-old boy was brought to safety by Buford the dog.
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On Monday evening, sheriffs in Arizona were altered to a missing boy, aged 2, who wandered off from his home in Seligman, Yavapai County.
After a 16 hour overnight search by more than 40 crew members the young boy was found - with a dog.
Buford, the Anatolian Pyrenees, likely found the toddler wandering through the wilderness.
The boy was only in his pyjamas and a vest in the rugged terrain.
It's believed the canine had fearlessly protected the boy from two mountain lions, seen by a rangers rescue helicopter, while he was lost.
Buford even stuck with him while he slept under a tree.
Buford then likely directed the toddler back to safety, from wilderness known to be home to coyotes, lions and bears.
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Around 9am on Tuesday, a rancher approximately seven miles away reported that a young child had walked onto his property. Upon arrival at the ranch, Yavapai County deputies confirmed this was the missing boy.
"I was getting ready to leave, I had heard about the missing child before and when I was driving out the driveway I noticed my dog was sitting down by the entrance," Scottie Dunton told NBC News.
"I look up and the little kid is standing there with my dog."
Buford usually patrols Dunton's land, scaring off coyotes.
"He just loves kids, so I can't imagine he would've left him alone," he said.
Over 40 search and rescue members, several deputies, DPS, a DPS ranger, and Coconino County Sheriff’s deputies helped in the search.