A HUGE land, sea and air search was launched yesterday after an Inverness man disappeared while walking his dog.
His distinctive wolf-like husky cross was found wandering alone in the city with its lead chewed through.
James Burgess – also known as Jamie – was last seen walking the dog in the Bught area of the city not far from the fast-flowing River Ness.
Early yesterday morning, the 48-year-old’s dog was found with only part of its lead attached. Police said this increased concerns for its owner’s safety.
Officers urged members of the public to keep a lookout for the other part of the lead – which may be key to finding Mr Burgess.
Yesterday afternoon, police launched a major search operation on the River Ness.
It is understood Mr Burgess lives with his mother at Lochardil.
Coastguards, the RAF Lossiemouth search-and-rescue helicopter, Kessock lifeboat and police with sniffer dogs scoured the length of the river from Dochgarroch near Loch Ness to the Kessock Bridge.
A Coastguard search-and-rescue team checked the banks of the river around the Ness Islands and waded into the water to hunt in undergrowth.
At the same time, the RAF helicopter swept the river and hovered low over the Caledonian Canal.
Police called out the Kessock lifeboat crew at 11.45am and they spent two hours searching the mouth of the river and the Beauly Firth.
The crew searched around the Black Bridge, the harbour and marina, around the Kessock Bridge and into the Inner Moray Firth.
Police officers and sniffer dogs checked various areas of the river from the Ness Islands to Dochgarroch.
The search was suspended last night as darkness fell with no sign of the missing man.
A police officer at the scene said: “The dog was found running loose near the Bazpackers hostel on Culduthel Road by a member of the public early yesterday morning with half of the lead still attached.
“The dog appears to have either chewed through or broken the lead, which is made of a flat, brown webbed material.
“We would ask the public to be on the alert for the other part of the lead, which may be tied elsewhere.”
A police spokesman added: “Jamie’s dog was found close to the area where he was last seen and this has increased concerns for his welfare.
“We are becoming increasingly anxious to trace him.”
Mr Burgess, who previously lived in Glasgow and London, is described as 5ft 6in and of muscular build with dark hair that is receding and turning grey.
He is thought to have been wearing a dark-grey and navy checked coat, navy trousers and black Dr Martens boots when he went missing.
Police said Mr Burgess frequented the area around the Ness Islands and the Caledonian Canal banks between Inverness and Lochend.
Inverness councillor Richard Laird said: “This is obviously a concerning time for those who know Mr Burgess and a lot of people are hoping that he turns up safe and well. If anyone knows of his whereabouts or see him, they should let the police know.”