Heroic North Carolina police K-9 named Bo tracks rescues teen, 13, with special needs during bomb cyclone

Paw-tect and serve.

A North Carolina police K-9 is being hailed a hero for helping rescue a missing teen with special needs during the height of a brutal bomb cyclone snowstorm that struck the mid-Atlantic.

Bo, a bloodhound with the Gastonia Police Department, was sent out on the lifesaving operation in the city of Gastonia on Saturday night after officials received a missing persons alert.

Gastonia Police Department K-9 Bo is covered in snow after helping search for a missing boy with special needs on Jan. 31, 2026. Gastonia Police Department

The unidentified 13-year-old boy with autism was deemed to be at serious risk after leaving his home without proper clothing as the weather outside created dangerous cold and blizzard conditions, the police department wrote on Facebook.

Bo used a piece of the boy’s clothing to pick up his scent and led his handler, Gastonia Police Sgt. Rowland, through the snowy night.

A joint effort from the police department, Gastonia County Sheriff’s Office and Gastonia Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) set up a perimeter around the boy’s home as Bo and other officers scoured the area.

“As Bo continued the snowy track, the child wandered into a secured perimeter and was safely located by GEMS, who spotted the boy walking up to them,” officials said.

Bo used a piece of the boy’s clothing to pick up his scent and led his handler, Gastonia Police Sgt. Rowland, through the snowy night. Gastonia Police Department

The boy was found to be cold but not physically harmed from his adventure, police said.

“This successful outcome was made possible by quick action, strong teamwork, and the dedication of everyone involved—especially a snowy snouted K-9 Bo who performed well in the midst of severe weather,” the police department wrote alongside a photo of the snow-covered pooch.

“Outstanding work bringing this child home safely,” officials added.

Gastonia, located 23 miles west of Charlotte and north of the South Carolina border, received nearly a foot of snow from the winter storm that clobbered the Carolinas over the weekend, according to ABC News.

The storm tied Charlotte’s record for the 4th biggest single-day snowfall in recorded history, the outlet reported.