A B.C. pet owner is being taunted by a stranger after issuing a public plea for help to find her missing dog.

Kelsi Padula's dog, Lager, disappeared approximately three weeks ago from a property in Maple Ridge.

Desperate to find the mastiff-pit bull cross, Padula took to the Internet for help in the search for Lager. She posted photos of the seven-year-old dog on sites like Facebook and Craigslist, including her phone number so anyone with more information could get in touch.

She also put up posters in the area, hoping for tips.

Shortly after the dog went missing, Padula received a text message from someone claiming to know where Lager is. The stranger sent messages saying the dog was being mistreated, but refused to give Padula an address.

"He'll tell me a general area, and I'll go to the general area," Padula told CTV News on Monday.

"Then he'll lead me to another area. And then he'll send me more pictures. He'll call me and taunt me, and say, 'Have you found your dog yet?'"

The "tipster" also told her that the dog has been kicked, and that he's being used as a guard dog.

"This has been hell. I think I probably cry 20 times a day," Padula said.

One exchange with the stranger, which Padula posted on Facebook, reads: "Hi I have your dog Lager... Bring 10 grand in cash... And I want the 10 grand in 5 dollar bills only."

Padula wrote back, asking for proof that the person behind the text messages had her dog.

"Prove who you are first," they wrote back.

Lager's owner said she has also faced several extortion attempts, and doesn't know whether she's the victim of a hoax or there is some truth to the messages.

One person told her he had the dog, and would tie him up somewhere to be picked up if she email-transferred him some money.

Padula contacted the Ridge Meadows RCMP, who confirmed that they are investigating allegations of criminal harassment. They are also investigating alleged attempts at extortion, based on other messages Padula has received.

The SPCA is also investigating the case, and said the situation is unlike anything they've seen before.

"I can only imagine this is heartbreaking for the family," the SPCA's Lorie Chortyk said.

Although Padula is hurt by the taunts, she said her main goal is just to get her dog back.

With a report from CTV Vancouver's Michele Brunoro