Missing Toddler Saved By Rancher's Dog After 16 Hours In Rugged Terrain

A two-year-old boy named Boden Allen, who went missing from his home in Seligman, Arizona, was found safe after spending a night in the rugged terrain. The toddler was discovered with the help of a rancher's dog named Buford, a 6-year-old Anatolian Pyrenees, who led him to safety.

The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office reported that Boden wandered off in his pajamas on Monday (April 14) and was found the next morning, approximately seven miles from his home. The search involved around 40 search-and-rescue personnel and officers from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Coconino and Mohave County Sheriff's Offices. During the search, a helicopter spotted two mountain lions in the area, adding to concerns for the boy's safety.

Buford, who typically patrols his owner's ranch at night, found Boden and stayed with him until they reached the ranch. Scotty Dunton, Buford's owner, was heading to town when he saw his dog walking down the driveway with the child.

"I knew it was him," Dunton told NBC News. "He was all disoriented and crying. And so I jumped out and ran and grabbed him and told him 'you're OK, you're OK.'"

Boden was unharmed and only needed food and water. He mentioned sleeping under a tree, and Dunton found the child's footprints, confirming he had walked the entire distance. Buford's actions earned him a hero's dinner of a two-pound rib-eye steak.

The Sheriff's Office expressed gratitude to all involved in the search and rescue, especially Buford, who played a crucial role in ensuring the toddler's safety. The Sheriff's Office noted that Buford's natural instincts as a livestock guardian likely helped him protect and guide the child.