Young girl missing in Canadian forest kept warm by her three dogs

A nine-year-old girl who spent a night missing in a forest was kept warm by her three loyal canine companions.

The young girl went missing from a small community in Alberta, Canada, with her three dogs – Starky, Brute and Prince – last Wednesday, CBC News reported.

She walked out of the forest safe and sound with the dogs the next morning, after a search party of about 40 people spent the night looking for her.

Sergeant Barry Larocque said the girl had told police she was kept warm in the chilly conditions by her dogs.

“She said that she had laid down and her dogs kind of huddled around her to keep her warm,” he told the news station.

“It was a bit of a wild story. I’ve never experienced it in my career.”

Her uncle, Michael Cross, said her disappearance was frightening.

“It was very overwhelming,” he told the station.

“I wouldn’t wish that again for anybody’s child.”

The girl, who is apparently rarely seen without her dogs, was unharmed in the incident.

“She’s a very strong girl to spend a night out like that. We love her lots, that’s for sure,” Mr Cross said.