Drone video captures the moment this missing dog with a broken leg was finally found

An Illinois dog that had been missing for a week was found Sunday thanks to a local pet rescue organization and a thermal imaging drone. And the moment they found the poor pup was so touching, that you’ll probably end up watching the rescue at least as many times as we did.

The ordeal began on December 31, when a Bernese mountain dog named Charlie went missing in the Crystal Lake area of ​​northern Illinois. Charlie’s owner, Kate Belmont, was distraught and posted messages on Facebook about Charlie.

Belmont got help from Dog Gone Pet Recovery, a local animal rescue organization, which enlisted Smithic Air for drone support. The drone has thermal imaging that allows you to monitor warm objects on the ground.

Dog Gone Pet Recovery in Illinois and Smithic Air posted a Video to Facebook and YouTube Showing the moment Charlie was spotted on January 5, you can see that little orange dot as Charlie comes into focus before switching to normal camera mode to confirm his identity. It’s worth watching because they clearly get emotional upon finding it.

Charlie was found a few minutes from his home but was unable to walk due to a broken femur. They believe he was hit by a car.

local ABC News The TV station spoke to Belmont and her fiancée about the rescue, and celebrated the “amazing technology” that allowed Charlie to return home.

“David and I are absolutely blown away by the support of the community we live in,” Belmont wrote on Facebook. “We have only lived here a few years and have met so many wonderful people (unfortunately under these circumstances) I have been contacted by thousands of people reaching out and sending support and well wishes 🙏 A huge thank you to everyone who has been keeping their eyes out for Charlie!!

“You are all amazing people!! If only Charlie knew how to become a neighborhood celebrity,” Belmut continued.

The family of A GoFundMe to help pay for Charlie’s medical costs, a campaign that has raised more than $5,200 at the time of this writing.