A video showing the moment a four-year-old boy and his pet Labrador were rescued after they went missing in a forest has gone viral.
New Jersey State Police troopers were on a mission to find a little boy, whose details remain anonymous after he wandered away from his home in Buena Vista Township, Atlantic City on Wednesday evening (March 28).
The bodycam footage of the rescue was posted on Twitter and shows officers scouting for the child amongst the foliage when one officer suddenly sees him in the distance alongside his black Labrador, who had refused to leave his side.
He immediately starts shouting "I got him... I got him," as he grabs the little boy and reassures him that he's safe. Clearly overwhelmed, the youngster can be heard crying as he repeatedly states: "I lost my shoe ... I lost my shoe."
Ian Emmi swoops up the child and holds the boy in their arms before he is taken over to his mom.
Watch the dramatic clip below:As per the Daily Mail, the boy's mom reported him missing to local authorities after he wandered off. Despite her still being able to hear him, she could not find him anywhere.
After enlisting the help of Trooper Ian Emmi, the pair were eventually reunited.
The state police posted the video of the dramatic rescue alongside a statement in which they gave further details on the issue.
"Last night, troopers from Buena Vista Station responded to the report of a missing child in Buena Vista Twp., Atlantic County," the statement read. "A 4-year-old boy and his black Labrador had wandered away from his house and were missing for more than an hour."
It continued: "While searching for the child, Trooper Ian Emmi and the child’s mother heard him off in the distance and ran to his location nearly a half mile from his house.
"We are thankful to report that due to the quick response of the troopers and his mother, the terrified child was safely located and in good health," the statement concluded.
Social media users took to the comments to praise the New Jersey State Police for their work.
"Absolutely wonderful," wrote one user. "Great work from some of NJs finest!"
Another added: "Poor baby, hearing him crying broke my heart! Thank you to our law enforcement officers!!"
"God bless..." A third tweeted. "Can’t imagine how everyone involved felt the moment they found him."
Other users pointed out that the real hero in this was the dog who stayed loyal throughout the entire ordeal.
"Great job with finding the kid for sure, but the unsung hero is the dog. His one mission was to stick with his brother. 'If he’s lost, I'm gonna be lost with him and protect him,'" one user wrote while another added: "What a great dog. Stayed with and probably saved that boy."
We're glad the young one and his faithful pet are back home safe and sound!
