Missing man found caught in barbed wire, dog stayed by his side [Video]

GAFFNEY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said a missing 71-year-old was found Thursday afternoon and airlifted to the hospital.

Billy Kearse went missing on Tuesday morning. Kearse was walking with a small Chihuahua dog to go fishing when he went missing.

Deputies stated that Kearse had a tracheotomy and uses a voice box amplifier, adding to his health concerns.

On Thursday morning, local residents were riding around looking for Kearse and located a fishing tackle box. They called law enforcement, who responded to search the area with canines and drones.

Kearse was found tangled in a barbed wire fence. His dog was still by his side, deputies said.

He was severely dehydrated and airlifted to Spartanburg Regional Hospital.

“We are grateful for the two citizens who were aware of the search efforts last night to locate the missing person and who continued checking their property this …