‘I heard the dog!’ How a pet led rescuers to LendingTree CEO’s body at NC farm
The barking of a “little labradoodle” led rescuers to the body of LendingTree CEO and chairman Doug Lebda, who was found pinned under an overturned all-terrain vehicle on his family farm in western North Carolina last weekend, according to a 911 call and Polk County records released Friday.
The family pet helped responders find Lebda after he’d gone missing on the sprawling 277-acre property in Mill Spring, add Polk County.
Lebda, 55, died Oct. 12 in an ATV accident, his Charlotte-based fintech company said Monday. With nearly 1,000 employees, the company that Lebda founded lets borrowers browse loans from multiple providers including credit cards, mortgages or personal loans.
Lebda was found dead and alone in a field or wooded area on the farm at 10580 NC Highway 108 in Mill Spring, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
The Charlotte Observer obtained the 911 call and Polk County 911 communications report from a public records request.
At 7:31 p.m., the Polk County 911 Communications center received a call from a Rutherfordton man reporting Lebda missing. The caller stated he did not know the exact address but indicated it was near a silo on Highway 108 at the Green River bridge. His identity was redacted by the county.
The 911 dispatcher asked if he needed the law, fire or medical.
“I need everybody because this owner has disappeared at this farm right here where the pond is,” the caller said. He identified the owner as Lebda, who had left on his ATV at 3 p.m. and had not returned, according to the 911 report.
Lebda also did not have his phone with him, the caller said. Lebda’s wife, Megan, had called him from their home in Charlotte, the caller said, because nobody could find him.
“I just work for him, and I’m over here trying to find him,” the caller said.
The caller advised to bring ATVs because Lebda was on a red Honda Pioneer with headlights and a roll cage. He also had his “little labradoodle” with him, the caller said.
“We heard the dog barking a while ago, but now we can’t find the dog,” the caller said. “The dog is with Doug. Megan is in Charlotte. He’s here by himself.”
The search for Doug Lebda
Soon after, at 7:35 p.m., the caller said excitedly: “I heard that dog! He barked one time. He’s on that hill. ... There it was again.”
”Does the bark sound like it’s a distressed bark or just an alert bark?” the dispatcher asked.
“It’s just barking across the dam,” said the caller, who indicated others already were there helping in the search.
At 7:36 p.m., just minutes after the 911 call was received, Polk County Sheriff’s Office was en route, the 911 report shows, followed by emergency management, fire and medic. The sheriff’s office was first on the scene at 7:51 p.m. A drone to help in the search was requested less than 10 minutes later, but Lebda’s body was found at 8:06 p.m. ”pinned under the overturned side-by-side.”
The scene was cleared by the sheriff’s office at 9:46 p.m.
A Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigator determined there were no indications of foul play, a county spokesperson previously said.
Remembering LendingTree’s Doug Lebda
Lebda had purchased the sprawling, riverfront farm for $2.75 million in July. He had long dreamed of owning such a farm, according to his obituary. The farm is about 80 miles west of Charlotte off U.S. 74 near Lake Lure.
A Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, native, Lebda launched LendingTree in 1996 after a frustrating experience trying to secure his first mortgage. LendingTree offered a new concept during the early years of the internet, allowing people to comparison-shopping loans online.
Lebda’s impact extended beyond the business community, through philanthropy and other projects, such as serving as co-chairman of the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte.
Lebda is survived by his wife of nearly 10 years, Megan, and three daughters Rachel, Abby and Sophia.
A public memorial service for Lebda is set for 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at Founders Hall in uptown Charlotte, according to his obituary at Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service.
This story was originally published October 17, 2025 at 12:13 PM with the headline "‘I heard the dog!’ How a pet led rescuers to LendingTree CEO’s body at NC farm."
