Actor Martin Clunes has offered a £2000 reward to try to find a stolen dog from Leicestershire.
The 54-year-old star of TV show Doc Martin has made the generous gesture after Pippin was stolen in smash-and-grab raid at a house in Bransdale Road, Wigston, last Tuesday morning.
Gareth Wilson, the owner of Pippin - a 15-year-old black yoodle, contacted the actor's agent in a desperate bid to find his beloved pet.
Gareth said Pippin, a cross between a Yorkshire terrier and a poodle, is seriously ill and needs daily medicine to keep him alive.
He said: "My mother Jane took Pippin on holiday to Cornwall a few years ago.
"She is big fan of Martin Clunes so she went to the set in Port Isaac where they were filming the show.
"She got to meet Martin and he got to meet Pippin. She said he was lovely and was genuinely interested in Pippin.
"It was memorable for all concerned as Pippin did his business just as mum was about to meet Martin.
"She had to bag Pippin's deposit. When she met Martin she was still holding the bag.
"He said to her, 'Lovely to meet you and Pippin and you have brought me a little gift.'
"Mum said you could tell Martin was a genuine animal lover. That is part of the reason mum likes him."
Gareth said he was delighted when Martin's management agency got back to him within hours of his sending an e-mail telling of Pippin's disappearance.
He said: "It is wonderful that Martin has made such a generous offer.
"We hope that his involvement might help us get our beloved Pippin back."
Gareth had already posted a £2,000 reward so Martin's offer boosts the total to £4,000.
A spokeswoman for Martin's management agency Independent talent, said: "Martin can't think what he can do to help except add another £2,000 to their existing reward offer."
Hundreds of people have joined the search online after Gareth posted an appeal on Spotted Wigston's Facebook page.
Leicestershire Police confirmed they were investigating the report of a dog being stolen.
People with information can contact the police by calling 101
Gareth can be contacted on 07715447890 and by e-mail at: gareth.wilson@ymail.com
