The owner of the giant pooch that went missing last month has travelled hundreds of miles through Ireland this week in her quest to find him - but returned home empty-handed and distraught.

Heather McReynolds’ pride and joy - Mojo the 11-stone St Bernard - was stolen from her Co Armagh home three weeks ago, and she is convinced he was taken by people seen in a southern registered van near her home - the vehicle was reported to have a Kildare ‘KE’ registration.

After the report appeared in last week’s Belfast Telegraph, Heather received a number of calls, including one from Co Longford “which sounded very promising”. So she drove to the county and beyond to check on the report.

“I am convinced that I was close to him,” she said from her home near Portadown yesterday. “But the Gardai simply couldn’t walk in and search and I came back frustrated. I will be trying another tack in the near future with the help of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and I am hoping it works.”

Two-year-old Mojo, one of the most famous dogs in Ireland, won’t be easy to hide. Not only is he big and conspicuous, but he has appeared in many locations as a mascot for the ISPCA, given his tough start in life. He was neglected for the first six months, kept in captivity and was found lying in his own faeces and had minimal exercise.

He was given to Heather - an expert in canine muscle touch - to improve his tone and make him as strong and normal as possible. His story was told on RTE, he appeared on the cover of the ISPCA magazine and was a special guest at an RDS show attended by 30,000 people.

“Since his disappearance, his profile has risen further and a lot of people throughout Ireland are looking out for him,” said Heather. “I am hoping against hope that he’s found as he still requires special treatment for his poor muscle tone, and that can only be given by an expert.”

Anyone with information can contact Heather on her mobile phone at 07734-104566.