A TELEVISION reporter has offered a reward of £200 for the return of her small dog, which is in danger of dying unless given a daily supply of pills.

Stephanie Ryan, a journalist with Tyne Tees Television, was devastated when Zoe, her ten-year-old black Staffordshire bull terrier, disappeared from outside her house near Barnard Castle, County Durham.

Zoe, who needs two pills for a heart complaint and a dose of medicine for arthritis every day, disappeared after wandering around her owner's garden in Coal Road, Marwood, on Saturday afternoon.

Ms Ryan's mother, Dorothy Somers, heard a car moving away at speed on the road a few moments before she realised the dog was missing.

The loss was quickly reported to police, but they have not heard of any sighting of the dog.

Ms Ryan said yesterday: "I'm frantic with worry about what might have happened to her, as she could not survive long without her medication.

"My only hope is that someone has seen her on the road and taken her away to care for her without realising that her owners were living nearby.

"If this is the case I'd like to plead with them to return her as quickly as possible and claim the reward."

She added that her other dog of the same breed, nine-year-old Paddy, is fretting because she is missing Zoe.

Posters have been put up around the area asking for help and giving details of the reward.

Anyone with information is asked to ring 0787 6654187.