An astute police dog has been hailed for successfully tracking down a missing West Lothian pensioner who suffered from dementia in a woodland.
The alarm was raised by the family of John Wilson, 79, after he was reported missing at around 11.45am on Tuesday May 30.
Following a call to Police Scotland, a multi-unit operation was launched by police, including an air unit, control rooms and constables, with rescue dog Orca, an Alsatian, also drafted in, the Daily Record reports.
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An intricate search operation was undertaken and John was later found at around 9pm in a woodland area at Westfield.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland's Dog Unit said: "A great team result last night after a 79-year-old man with dementia was reported missing.
"Police dog Orca, Police Scotland Air Unit, Police Scotland Control Rooms and West Lothian Police were called to help.
"He was found in woodland and is now being cared for."
The Herbert Protocol, rolled out in 2021, was also pivotal in tracing John.
The scheme gathers details from family which includes places of importance to the missing person, other often visited places, health issues and places they have been found in the past if reported missing.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We are pleased to confirm 79-year-old John Wilson, missing since Tuesday, 30 May, from West Lothian has been traced.
"Thank you to everyone who shared our information."
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