Pet dog keeps lost girl safe and warm for 15 hours

A pet dog has been credited for saving the life of a little girl lost in the mountains in Arizona.

Victoria Bensch, a three-year-old baby, had disappeared from her family home in Cordes Lakes, Ariz., to be found 15 hours later in the mountains surrounding the valley by a search party helicopter pilot.

During the period, Blue, the family's Queensland heeler, had apparently kept her warm and protected her at temperatures below 30 degrees.

"The dog kept her alert, warm and gave her companionship throughout a very cold night," the New York Daily News quoted Dwight D'Evelyn, spokesman for the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, as telling The Arizona Republic.

Pilot Matthew Uhl, who spotted the girl and her dog in a dry creek bed, said: "She wasn't moving when we first came upon her. She was kind of just looking face-down on the ground."

He revealed that the dog was protective of the child at first, but when the girl smiled, the dog relaxed.

He added: "I think once the dog realized we were there to help them out, he was very excited. When it was time to go, he jumped right into the helicopter and was ready to go."

Bensch was immediately taken to Phoenix Children's Hospital and treated for frostbite.

Her aunt told the Republic: "We have to give a lot of credit to Blue. He pretty much stayed with her all night."