Autistic Boy Who Wandered Away Found Safe, Thanks to K-9 Hero ‘Hoot’ the Hound Dog – RedState

Another feel-good law enforcement story! I am always happy to highlight the good work done by our nation’s first responders and law enforcement, especially when it includes the deployment of their wonderful K-9 units. Like much of law enforcement, these units are too often sidelined due to costs.

Budget cuts in these departments hinder what is needed, not only for the maintenance and care of animals, but also the ability to fund and improve training, expansion capabilities, and resources such as equipment and protective equipment. Since these units serve multiple communities, especially small towns, collaboration between police departments is essential, such as in the case of locating a missing person.

Two- and four-legged heroes are the subject of this week’s Feel-Good Friday.

A 13-year-old autistic boy from Fort Pierce, Florida, was working out at a local gym. Once he was finished, he would normally go to the parking lot to wait to be picked up; but this time he went out and quickly disappeared.

Autism Speaks talks about the benefits for autistic children of incorporating physical activity into their day to help not only with their mental and physical well-being, but also with better socialization. It apparently worked for this young boy, as he was a regular at the gym; his family was convinced that he would be taken care of. And he was. It was because the gym owner was watching the boy while he was waiting in the parking lot that he noticed the boy disappearing so suddenly.

Fort Pierce police said the boy was reported missing around 5:20 p.m. Monday.

The Fort Pierce Police Department received a report of a missing child from a gymnasium on March 2. The boy had just finished a workout at Live Well Fitness Center, Hometown Gym, 2732 South US Highway 1 and had walked to the car and was waiting for a family member to come to the car when the gym owner said the boy ran away.

“He had walked in the door, normally, like he always does and within seconds he was gone,” said Nicholas Burgos, owner of Live Well fitness center at Hometown Gym.

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This is where coordination becomes crucial. Fort Pierce police conducted a search on foot and used drones to sweep the area. After failing to find the boy, they asked nearby Port St. Lucie police to employ their K-9 unit. A bloodhound named Hoot was put on the boy’s trail.

“They pick up on that smell, that smell, whether it’s sweat, or things of that nature,” said Officer Brittany McNally. “They have a much better sense of smell than humans.

After the boy’s scent was detected, Hoot led officers to him, who was found about a mile from the gym in the woods along the railroad tracks.

“It’s absolutely amazing, I mean, who doesn’t love a good K-9 story with a good outcome and bringing this family together with this child? It’s just a really, really good outcome,” McNally said.

K-9 Hoot is a local hero in Port St. Lucie. She helped find and rescue four missing children in just two years.

See Hoot in action in the video below. She’s a very good girl.

WATCH:

K-9 Hoot followed a scent through streets and railroad tracks to help find a missing 13-year-old autistic boy near Port St. Lucie. The pup has now helped find four missing children in just two years. pic.twitter.com/eVdTYcR1SU

– CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil (@CBSeveningNews) March 6, 2026

Editor’s note: At RedState, it’s not just about politics and politics. We love to bring attention to what’s good in the world, with features like “Feel-Good Friday,” “Start Your Weekend Right” and “Hoge’s Heroes.”

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