17-Year-Old Deaf And Blind Dog Helps Searchers Find Missing 3-Year-Old Girl

April 21, 2018

A 17-year-old deaf and partially blind blue heeler is being hailed a hero for finding and remaining by the side of a lost 3-year-old girl in Australia.

dog finds missing child
Max the blue heeler / Credit: Kelly Benston

According to ABC News, Aurora went missing around 3:00 pm on April 20 in Cherry Gully, Queensland, after she wandered off on her own. A search in the cold and wet weather that night found no trace of her.

Early this morning, more than 100 State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers, police and members of the public resumed the search and found the girl safe and well with the family dog, Max, at 8:00 am.

Kelly Benston, the partner of Aurora's grandmother Leisa Marie Bennett, said Bennett and other volunteers found Max first.

"She found the dog first. Max led her to Aurora," Benston said.

"SUCH A GOOD BOY, MAX! He stayed with his 3-year-old human who was lost near Warwick last night while we frantically searched for her," wrote Queensland Police in a post that has been liked over 28,000 times.

Aurora and Max were found about a mile from the house.

"I shot up the mountain ... and when I got to the top, the dog came to me and led me straight to her," Bennet said.

Bennett said it was an emotional reunion with "a lot of tears".

SES area controller Ian Phipps said Aurora suffered minor cuts and abrasions but was otherwise well and it was a wonderful outcome for the family and searchers.

dog finds missing child
Credit: Kelly Benston

"With the weather last night it's quite lucky she is well because it was cold, it was cold and raining," he said.

For his good work, Max has been named an honorary police dog.