West Lothian locals called the cops over 300 times over a 'wolf' wandering near a major road in the county.
More than 270 West Lothian residents 'cried wolf' and reported the animal near the A89, despite the animal becoming extinct in the Scottish lowlands more than 400 years ago.
The animal in question turned out to be someone's pet white fox.
Confused coppers went to investigate the sighting of the 'terrifying animal' and found that the creature causing the commotion was a tame white fox which they took a picture of.
White foxes are incredibly rare in Britain and while keeping them as pets isn't illegal, bosses at the SSPCA warn that it 'isn't encouraged'.
Cops returned the domesticated animal to owners who lived locally.
In a cheery Facebook post, police detailed the panic last weekend.
West Lothian Police wrote: "Morning I hope you are all well and enjoying the weather, some of us are working (put your hankies away)!!!
"I had a post prepared for last weekend entitled “Never a dull moment, this job is nothing if not varied”.
"It featured the 270+ calls we had attended (at the time of writing) and a very unusual incident with reports of a “wolf” wandering in traffic on the A89. Not quite a wolf, rather a white fox, you can see where the confusion came in!"
A Police Scotland spokeswoman added: ""Around 9.30am on Sunday 11 July, 2021, police were called to a report of a white dog/wolf wandering in traffic on the A89 between Dechmont and Bathgate, West Lothian.
"Officers attended and the animal - which turned out to be a domesticated white fox - was traced to a nearby garden and was returned to its owner who lives locally."
