MONSON, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - MONSON, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- A 16-year-old boy with special needs has been missing since approximately 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, prompting a large-scale search operation in Monson involving dozens of rescue crews.

The search began around 9:30 a.m. Neighbors reported police and rescue crews arriving throughout the day. An alert sent to responding units at around 11:45 a.m. stated the teen “left into the woods and has not returned.”

The teen, whose name has not been released, was last seen wearing a navy-blue shirt, black shorts, and glasses. He was last seen walking south toward the Connecticut state line and was accompanied by two dogs: a boxer and a pug.

K-9 units are assisting in the search around Moulton Hill and Cedar Swamp Roads. The Western Mass. Technical Rescue Team is among the agencies on scene. A helicopter has been flying above the area and ATVs have been deployed to navigate the heavily forested terrain.

Monson Fire Chief Brian Harris said there are no new updates and the search remains ongoing.

An emergency alert also urged neighbors to check their cameras for any signs of the boy or his dogs.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts are asked to call police.

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