Family dog stays with lost boy for 17 hours on Vietnam mountain
A family dog stayed by a six-year-old boy's side for 17 hours overnight on a mountain in Dak Lak, more than 10 km from home, until they were found the next morning.
On September 12, a young boy from Song Cau Ward went missing after venturing out with his family around 3:30 p.m. Concerned, his family began a search when an hour passed without his return. Security camera footage from neighboring homes revealed the boy had wandered off with their family dog, Den (Blackie), following closely behind.
Search efforts continued through the night and into the early hours of September 13, expanding the search area as needed. Around 9:00 a.m., local resident Truong Van Dan spotted the exhausted boy in an acacia plantation within the Ong Dinh mountain area. Recognizing the child through online search alerts, Dan promptly alerted authorities to help bring the boy down the mountain.
Upon arrival, rescuers discovered Den steadfastly beside the boy, unwilling to leave his side. The dog, cautious around strangers but never abandoning his young companion, played a crucial role in the rescue. Despite being escorted down by authorities, Den remained by the boy's side, even attempting to rejoin him in the forest upon being placed in a vehicle.
The boy's mother, Nguyen Thi Mai, expressed gratitude for Den's unwavering vigilance throughout the night. She noted that the route from their home to the plantation traversed a dense, mountainous forest, making the boy's journey particularly challenging. The search team believes the loyal dog, Den, had been watching over the child throughout the entire ordeal. Upon reunion, the family was overjoyed to find their son safe and uninjured.
Written by urgent.news from VnExpress International's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
