A missing dog who ran away after being spooked by a gunshot has sadly died.
, from Glasgow, had been taken on a walk in Perthshire on October 26 last year when he was spooked by the noise in the distance.
A large-scale search was launched to find Eddie, who vanished during a visit to Rumbling Bridge near Kinross, and more than 18,000 people signed up to a Facebook page called 'Help Find Eddie'.
A number of organisations had been involved in the search, including the police , Forestry Commission and the National Trust with hopes the pooch would be home before Christmas.
Today Eddie's devastated family announced the sad news that the search has been called off after his body was discovered by a fisherman.
They said: "We were kindly alerted by a local Gillie, Andy, who has also retrieved Eddie’s body for us so we can bring him home.
"We are heartbroken and I’m afraid lost for words.
"I would like to thank each and everyone of you for your kind words, support, shares and participation in the search for our much loved boy.
"You may not be with us anymore but your beautiful spirit runs free, forever in our hearts."
Thousands of mourners left their sympathies with the family on the page, saying he will "always be loved beyond compare."
Jo Benson wrote: "I am so very, very sorry but I am also thankful that you now know and can put Eddie to rest.
"It is truly heartbreaking for you and I am crying as I write this.
"Eddie was so loved by you and you will always have him close by. I am sending your whole family very big hugs and also a hug to us all on here who have followed Eddie's story."
And Jenny Henderson posted: "I’m so very sorry to hear this news. I’ve read your eloquent, heartfelt posts with a lump in my throat on more than one occasion, and had so hoped that he’d turn up safe and well. Sweet dreams to your gorgeous Eddie.
"I’ll hug my pup a little tighter tonight."
While Dianne Leith commented: “My heartfelt sympathies to you all. Was hoping for a positive outcome against all the odds.
“Lots of love to you all and so very sorry for the loss of beautiful Eddie. He was loved beyond compare. Absolutely heartbroken here.”
