CERRO GORDO COUNTY, Iowa — A police service dog in Iowa is being credited with helping one family’s nightmare come to an end.
The Mason City Police Department said in a press release that a family contacted authorities shortly after 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday after their 2-year-old son and family dog went missing, Fox News reported.
The toddler and his dog had wandered off from the rural home, according to police.
Responding deputies helped family members search the home and buildings on their property, with no sign of the missing child.
As a result, the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office called for assistance from K9 units in Mason City and Worth County, as deputies also began to use a drone to help find the child.
But it was Mason City Police Officer Duane Kemna and his partner, K9 Kilo, who started a track and eventually found the 2-year-old boy along a creek through “several acres of timber” slightly more than a half-mile from home.
The child was found on the northwest corner of a neighbor’s home sitting on a cinder block, with his family dog by his side.
The child had removed his wet socks, shoes, and coat but was otherwise fine. There was no need for medical attention, according to police.
“It’s not every day we get to share good news, but we are proud of the work done yesterday by K9 Kilo and Officer Duane Kemna,” Mason City Police tweeted. “Good dog!”
It's not everyday we get to share good news, but we are proud of the work done yesterday by K9 Kilo and Officer Duane Kemna. They were called to assist the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office on a missing person case and tracked down the missing 2-year-old. Good dog! 2701 pic.twitter.com/ISWj17z0Ey
— Mason City Police (@MasonCityPD) October 21, 2020
