6-Year-Old Boy Found Safe After 17+ Hours Lost with Family Dog

A 6-year-old boy who went missing from his home in Song Cau ward, Dak Lak Province, on September 12th, has been found safe after more than 17 hours. He was discovered on a mountain over 10 km from his house, accompanied by the family's dog. According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai, 30, her son left home at 3:30 PM on September 12th. Initially, the family believed he was playing near home. However, when he did not return after an hour, they began searching and reported him missing to the authorities. Surveillance footage from nearby homes showed the boy walking with the family's black dog. Upon receiving the report, the Song Cau Ward Police, the Military Command, and local militia forces launched a search operation, expanding the radius to over 10 km from the evening of September 12th to the early morning of September 13th. Around 9 AM on September 13th, the boy was found in a cashew plantation area on Ong Dinh mountain, more than 10 km from his home. Mr. Truong Van Dan, 34, who found the boy, stated that he spotted a child in a blue shirt while heading to his farm. Recognizing the description from online search notices, he approached the boy, who appeared exhausted. Dan then alerted others for assistance, providing water and bread, and contacted the police to escort the boy down the mountain. The black dog remained by the boy's side throughout the ordeal. While it kept a distance from strangers, its eyes continuously followed its young owner. Search team members believe the dog guarded the boy all night on the mountain. Dan noted the difficult terrain, with dense forests and mountainous paths, questioning how the child managed to reach the location. Ms. Mai expressed immense joy upon learning her son was found safe and accompanied authorities to meet him. The boy's health is stable, with no injuries. She mentioned that the dog, a mixed breed adopted about two years ago, is particularly attached to her son due to his developmental delays. "If the dog hadn't been by his side all night, I don't know what would have happened to my son," she said. As authorities brought the boy down, the dog followed. However, when the police placed the boy in their vehicle, the dog, seemingly believing it had lost its owner, turned back and ran into the forest. Ms. Mai's husband has since returned to search for the dog, hoping for its safe return.