5-year-old boy vanishes in woods — then Oregon rescuers follow sound of barking dog

A barking dog led rescuers to a 5-year-old boy missing in the woods near Manning, Oregon sheriff’s officials reported.

Salix Heisinger was last seen at 6:20 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, with his dog, Rue, a black and white Australian shepherd, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Deputies began searching for Salix, who has asthma, after he was reported missing at 7:10 p.m., officials said.

Searchers heard Rue barking and found the two together in a wooded area, the release said. The boy was not hurt.

“Good dog!” read one comment on the agency’s Facebook post.

“Get that dog a medal,” read another comment.

Manning is a small community about 30 miles northwest of Portland.

What to do if you get lost while hiking

If you think you’re getting lost, experts say it’s best to stop where you are and not panic. You should go over how you got to that point and if you’re able to see any landmarks around.

“Do not move at all until you have a specific reason to take a step,” officials with the U.S. Forest Service said.

You should come up with a plan but stay put unless you are “very, very confident in the route.”

There are steps hikers can take to avoid getting lost and be better prepared for the unexpected:

• Have more than enough food and water with you.

• Take a compass that you know how to use, or have a GPS device on hand.

• Don’t rely solely on your cell phone. It probably won’t work because of a lack of signal or a depleted battery.

• Study the terrain and your route, and you should know how you’ll return.

• Have the right clothing. Sturdy hiking boots and layers can help you be prepared for rapidly changing weather.

• Pack a blanket, flashlight and matches.

• Check with a local ranger for special warnings. They can tell you about “fires in the area, bear sightings, flooding, trail or road closures.”

This story was originally published June 28, 2023 at 7:15 AM with the headline "5-year-old boy vanishes in woods — then Oregon rescuers follow sound of barking dog."