Hero K-9 Finds Missing Toddler Who Disappeared From Iowa Home

By J. Swanson

When an Iowa toddler wandered away from his home, his family was understandably distraught. According to the Mason City Police Department, the 2-year-old boy had wandered away from their house with the family dog, and they had no idea where the pair had gone.

The toddler’s disappearance led the local sheriff’s department to immediately call for backup, including a drone and multiple K-9s, to help canvass the search area. The boy had disappeared in a rural area with lots of places where a child could hide, so time was of the essence.

Photo: Twitter/Mason City Police Department

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before K-9 Kilo, one of the search dogs deployed to the scene, found the missing toddler in a wooded creek area. The boy was only .6 miles from his house, but he must have fallen into the nearby stream, because K-9 Kilo’s human handler reported the boy had removed his wet shoes, socks, and coat. But although wet and understandably shaken, the boy didn’t appear otherwise hurt. The police report also noted the toddler’s loyal dog was still by his side.

“It’s not every day we get to share good news, but we are proud of the work done yesterday by K-9 Kilo and Officer Duane Kemna,” Mason City Police wrote on Twitter. “They were called to assist Cerro Gordo County Sheriff on a missing person case and tracked down the missing 2-year-old. Good dog!”

We couldn’t agree more! Hopefully K-9 Kilo will get some extra treats and/or a steak dinner to celebrate his heroic save.

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J. Swanson
J. Swanson is a writer, traveler, and animal-enthusiast based in Seattle, an appropriately pet-crazed city where dog or cat ownership even outweighs the number of kids. When the weather permits, she likes to get outside and explore the rest of the Pacific Northwest, always with a coffee in hand.
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