WATCH: Quick-thinking dog named Oakley guides Illinois cop to his leash during rescue from burning home
Oakley’s owners are grateful to the police department for saving their sweet dog. Aurora Illinois Police Department
Dramatic bodycam video has captured the incredible moment an Illinois police officer rescued a dog from a burning home — with a little help from the dog himself.
Just before 1 p.m. on September 11, first responders arrived at a home in Aurora engulfed in flames. According to the Aurora Police Department, fire was pouring from the back of the house as officers rushed in to search for anyone inside.
Video released by the department shows Officer Michael Ely kicking in the front door and navigating through thick smoke and blaring alarms. As he searched room to room, Ely eventually found a four-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier named Oakley trapped behind a pet gate.
After removing the gate, Ely reached for Oakley’s collar — but the dog dashed down the hallway, pausing briefly to make sure the officer was following. The footage shows Oakley leading Ely straight to the kitchen, where his leash hung near the back door. The dog sat calmly as Ely clipped it on, praising him as a “good boy” while guiding him out of the smoke-filled home.
Oakley, a rescue adopted from the local group Players for Pits, was the only one inside at the time. No injuries were reported.
Aurora Police Chief Matt Thomas praised the quick response of his team. “Their quick response made a real difference, and it’s always rewarding when we can return a family member, even a four-legged one, safely to their loved ones,” he told WGN.
Investigators believe the fire started in the attic, but found no signs of foul play. The homeowners, who are staying elsewhere for now, expressed deep gratitude to Officer Ely for saving their beloved pet.
“He is an athletic dog who loves to play and wrestle,” the owners said in a statement. “He enjoys snuggling with us, snoring loudly as he sleeps, sunbathing, and eating peanut butter. We are forever grateful to Mike at the Aurora Police Department for saving our sweet dog.”
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