A dramatic police bodycam video has captured the remarkable moment a dog helped save his own life, by guiding an Illinois officer through a burning home straight to his leash.
Flames and smoke were pouring out of the back of an Aurora house just before 1 pm on September 11 when first responders arrived. Officer Michael Ely was among the first through the front door, breaking it down and searching frantically room to room as alarms blared, the New York Post reported.
What he found was Oakley, a 4-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier, trapped behind a pet gate. But instead of waiting to be carried out, Oakley made his own escape plan.
Oakley then led Ely into the kitchen, where his leash hung by the back door. Sitting calmly, he waited for the officer to clip it on. “Good boy,” Ely is heard saying as he led the pup safely through the smoke.
Oakley, a rescue adopted from local group Players for Pits, escaped unharmed. No one else was inside the home, and officials said the blaze likely started in the attic.
Aurora Police Chief Matt Thomas praised the rescue, “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.”
The grateful homeowners, temporarily displaced by the fire, described Oakley as a playful companion who loves wrestling, sunbathing, and peanut butter. “We are forever grateful to Mike at the Aurora Police Department for saving our sweet dog,” they said, NYP reported.
Flames and smoke were pouring out of the back of an Aurora house just before 1 pm on September 11 when first responders arrived. Officer Michael Ely was among the first through the front door, breaking it down and searching frantically room to room as alarms blared, the New York Post reported.
What he found was Oakley, a 4-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier, trapped behind a pet gate. But instead of waiting to be carried out, Oakley made his own escape plan.
As Ely freed him, the dog bolted down the hallway, only to stop, glance back, and ensure the officer was following.This dog led an officer to his leash while he was being rescued from his burning home. This is Oakley. Last Thursday, he was home alone when a fire started in the attic. When the Aurora Police Department arrived, there were flames at the back of the house. Unsure if anyone was… pic.twitter.com/5Z9skPjuCE
— WeRateDogs (@dog_rates) September 16, 2025
Oakley then led Ely into the kitchen, where his leash hung by the back door. Sitting calmly, he waited for the officer to clip it on. “Good boy,” Ely is heard saying as he led the pup safely through the smoke.
Oakley, a rescue adopted from local group Players for Pits, escaped unharmed. No one else was inside the home, and officials said the blaze likely started in the attic.
Aurora Police Chief Matt Thomas praised the rescue, “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.”
The grateful homeowners, temporarily displaced by the fire, described Oakley as a playful companion who loves wrestling, sunbathing, and peanut butter. “We are forever grateful to Mike at the Aurora Police Department for saving our sweet dog,” they said, NYP reported.
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