How a frantic pet dog led police to his family's burning home after owner told him: 'Buddy, go get help!'

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By Mail Foreign Service

Buddy go get help: The German Shepherd spots the trooper's car and races off in the direction of the burning house

This is the kind of Buddy you really want in a crisis.

Buddy the German Shepherd proved to be a real-life Lassie as he led police straight to his family home which was on fire.

The frantic pet dog can be seen on police dashcam footage looking back repeatedly to make sure the car was still following as he took them round narrow, unlit bends to the inferno.

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Real-life Lassie: Buddy leads the trooper down unlit, winding roads


Near-tragedy: Buddy brings the trooper right up to his family's burning home

Owner Ben Heinrichs, 23, insists the amazing rescue started when his dog raced off after he told him: 'Buddy, we need to get help.'

Alaska State Trooper Terrence Shanigan was struggling to find the fire after his navigation system froze - and says he acted on a hunch and followed the dog after seeing its sense of urgency.

Now Buddy is being awarded with a silver-plated dog bowl by troopers.
Heinrichs' work shop was destroyed and a nearby wood shed was badly burned.

owever, the Heinrichs' home escaped the flames, with only the trim around the kitchen window was damaged by the fire.

'Buddy's valiant actions saved Trooper Shanigan valuable time in responding to the fire,' said Alaska State Troopers' Director Col. Audie Holloway.

'Buddy's pluckiness is a bright spot among an otherwise tragic event for the Heinrichs family.'
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