A 2-year-old boy who went missing from his home in Seligman, Arizona, was found safe early on Tuesday, April 15, after spending the night in a remote desert area.
The child was located nearly seven miles away on a nearby ranch, guided back by Buford, a 6-year-old Anatolian Pyrenees dog owned by rancher Scotty Dunton.
According to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, search-and-rescue teams and deputies had been searching the rugged terrain overnight. Despite the challenging terrain of thick trees, mountains, and the presence of mountain lions, the child survived the night largely unharmed thanks to Buford’s watchful presence.
Buford, who typically patrols the ranch property to deter wildlife such as coyotes, found the boy resting under a tree and stayed with him throughout the night.
The following morning, Buford led the child back to Dunton’s ranch, where the boy was found disoriented but unharmed. Dunton said the toddler was quickly comforted with food and water after being brought inside.
The sheriff’s office confirmed the boy’s safe recovery shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday. Dunton rewarded Buford with a 2-pound rib-eye steak for his role in the rescue. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the child’s disappearance.
Cheri Sanders is an Arizona native, writer, and outdoor enthusiast who believes the best things in life are found off the beaten path—often with her dogs right beside her. Specializing in travel, outdoors, and beauty, Cheri chronicles the adventures of hiking the Southwest and beyond.