A £1,000 reward has been issued for the safe return of Pepper, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier who’s search has gone global.
But almost two months since Pepper vanished, owner Denise Jaffray fears the worst for the dog she says is more like a daughter to her.
As such she’s offering the hefty reward as she clutches onto hope that she’ll one day be reunited with her beloved Pepper.
“I would give every last penny to get her back,” said the 39-year-old.
It was on May 28 when Pepper bolted out the front door of Denise’s home in Cinderwood, Thorntree .
Friends put posters up around the streets, while on Facebook, the search for Pepper went Viral, with thousands of shared posts in the hunt to bring her home.
She’s had messages from as far as Australia from supporters, but despite scores of ‘sightings’ locally, Denise is convinced the only two true sightings were on the day she left home.
“Sometimes I think she may just not be with us anymore,” admits Denise.
But Cleveland Police investigated the dog’s disappearance as a suspected theft, and if that’s the case, Denise said she just wants Pepper back - whatever the cost.
What initially started as a £300 reward has now ballooned into the four-figure sum.
Denise added: “I cry every day about her - some days are worse than others.
“I feel like I’ve lost my daughter.
“It’s hard but I see these stories about people reunited with their dogs nine months after they’ve disappeared and they give me hope.