Mysterious Dog Finds a Missing Child, 'It Was a Blessing From God That Day'

When a 3-year-old boy went missing in Louisville, Kentucky, officers couldn’t find him anywhere. Then an angel in disguise—a mysterious dog—found the missing child. Even those who’d lived in the area for years had never seen the dog before that day.

A Search Ensues for Missing Boy

RELATED: Relief After 5-Year-Old Boy With Autism is Found After Going Missing During Recess

The Louisville Metro Police Department had been looking for the boy for hours when a dog started barking at an officer and tried to lead him away. 

There were over a half-dozen officers looking for him, including a helicopter.

Just prior to seeing the dog, the officers spoke to a woman who said a child had rung her doorbell and then run off.

"It wasn't the same description, but it was a young kid who hit her Ring doorbell camera and ran off," Louisville Metro Police Department 7th Division officer Josh Thompson said. "She immediately said 'He's across the street.'"

A Mysterious Dog Finds Missing Child

The officers saw the dog, a Collie, and recognized that it was trying to tell them something. So they followed it. 

“It led me all the way to the backyard. At that point I’m thinking, ‘Okay, this kid’s in this backyard,’” Josh said. 

"Officer Story followed the dog, I went around to check the garage," Josh said, referring to a fellow LMPD officer. "And the next thing I heard was Officer Story yell, 'I got the kid!'"

The boy had been sitting in the passenger seat of an SUV and had locked himself inside. “The dog went right to the back bumper… and just sat there,” Josh said. "I pulled that door open quickly, and I don't think I've ever seen a happier kid in my life.’

Child Overjoyed to Be Rescued

“He jumped out of the car, bear-hugged my neck and wouldn’t let go,” he said. "I don't know where the dog came from, but it was a blessing from God that day.”

Officer Thompson has patrolled that very neighborhood for two years and had never seen that dog before. 

The mystery dog has been named “Louisville’s Lassie.” 

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Two-Year-Old Found By A Volunteer and K-9 After She Wandered Off and Was Missing For Hours

The WLKY Louisville news team went back to the scene a month later to find the dog, and they did, giving him lots of pets and belly rubs. He still doesn’t wear a collar, but everyone knows him now. 

Thank God for that dog. If he hadn’t shown the officers where the boy was, the child would have been in greater danger as the hours went by. The neighborhood and those officers won’t forget their new local legend, “Louisville’s Lassie.”

WATCH: Mysterious Dog Finds a Missing Child, 'It Was a Blessing From God That Day'

LISTEN: Dog is Found After Running Away From California Airbnb | 2,397 Golden Retrievers Gather Together in Buenos Aires

h/t: ABC News

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/CBS Evening News

Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.