THE disappearance of a dog walker whose pets were found roaming free in a Scottish town is causing deep concern to police.
A black Labrador-type dog and a ginger-coloured mongrel, were seen running without their owner near the greenkeeper’s shed, on Bathgate Golf Course on Tuesday.
It is understood a man usually walks the dogs every morning in the area between 6.30 – 7.30am.
But CCTV from Tuesday shows the two dogs running around King Street in the town at 6.15am with no sign of the owner.
Police have been told that the owner is around 6ft 1in tall, in his late 30s-early 40s, and of slim build. He usually wears a black woolly hat and black bomber jacket. Both dogs were wearing brightly-coloured leads with a distinctive pattern.
The elderly black Labrador-type dog was handed in to police and is currently being looked after by the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, but the ginger collie-cross has not been handed in to police.
A police spokesman said: “It is purely out of concern for the owner that we are making these efforts to identify them – the fact the dogs were found with their leads on suggests they may have fallen and been injured while out walking them.”
“We have checked the black Labrador-type dog for an identity chip, but it does not have one.”
“Inquiries are ongoing to establish who the dogs belong to, and we are appealing for anyone who may recognise the description of the man, or the image of the dog, to get in touch.”
“We just want to make sure the owner is safe and well, and has not come to any harm.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0800 555 111, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
