The search for a guide dog that went missing over a month ago has been stepped up with expert dog trackers being deployed.
People in Moray have been asked to keep an eye out for Tess, a six-year-old black, curly coated cross retriever, who has been missing since being let off the lead by her owner Fraser Stevenson by the banks of the River Nairn on July 23.
Several reports have been made of the dog having been seen around Forres, with two specialised search handlers and their dog already deployed in the area.
A number of public appeals for information about the whereabouts of Tess and the pledge of a £1000 donation to Guide Dogs for the Blind from retailers Pets at Home has so far failed to find the dog.
The search for Tess has been coordinated by Niall Foley from Guide Dogs for the Blind, who said: “Over the weekend we have been working with specialists to try and find Tess in the areas around Forres, where we have multiple reported sightings of her.
“As we continue to work with the team this week we would still ask that our supporters do not try and actively search for her themselves, to help us to keep the area as quiet as possible.
“We also ask that anyone who thinks the may have seen Tess does not approach the dog directly to avoid a startled reaction.
“We are of course still extremely grateful for any updates or information that could help our team to find Tess and we encourage those with any information to call us on 0800 6888409.
“In the meantime, posters to help raise awareness of Tess’s disappearance are still available for download from our website www.guidedogs.org.uk and we encourage members of the public to remain vigilant.”