A Maheno man's Facebook pleas for the return of his dog, which he believes has been stolen, have been shared around the world thousands of times, but his American bulldog is still missing.
On June 22, pure white, 2-year-old Sid disappeared from Jamie Hall's locked garage in Maheno.
Mr Hall set up the Facebook group ''Help find Sid'' which now has more than 900 members as family, friends and strangers are helping to get Sid home. An early post in the Facebook group, pleading for the dog's return, was shared more than 2500 times.
''There's been heaps and heaps of support. It's been awesome,'' he said.
''People from all over New Zealand have wished me luck.
''We are hoping with enough people looking and spreading the word he will be home very soon.''
Mr Hall said he and his daughter had been ''gutted, and a bit lost'' since Sid's disappearance.
Sid was a good-natured, friendly family pet, who could often be found sleeping with their pet kunekune pigs.
Several people had reported sightings of the ''unique-looking'' dog in Timaru.
Mr Hall said he had been approached by someone on social media who asked for $800 in return for information on Sid's whereabouts.
He offered $800 cash if they could take him to the address, but the Facebook user declined his offer.
Mr Hall, who has lived in North Otago for about a year, said he knew ''a handful of people'' outside of work, and could not understand why anyone would want to take Sid.
''It's quite puzzling. It's like he was targeted,'' he said.
Whatever has happened to Sid, Mr Hall said he would like to know for peace of mind.
''Someone out there knows something,'' he said.
''If they have him, we'd really like him back.
''[If] they're not willing to give him up, just look after him.''
Sergeant Tony Woodbridge, of Oamaru, said police follow up reports of stolen dogs.
''At different times we have had certain breeds [of] dogs allegedly stolen for fighting purposes,'' Sgt Woodbridge said.
''It's happened here a few times. Dogs have been stolen from the dog pound.''
