(STOCKHOLM) - A mystery Scandinavian billionaire has offered a reward of 100,000 Swedish kronor (10,670 euros, 15,876 dollars) for the return of a stolen dog, tabloid Aftonbladet said Thursday.

"To steal a poor defenceless dog, that's really low. With this money, they (the robbers) can buy a lot of dogs," the billionaire, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the tabloid.

The dog, named Bamse, is a seven-year-old cross between a griffon breed and a Yorkshire. It was stolen two weeks ago from its owners Maina and Lars Ullstrand in Norrkoeping in eastern Sweden.

The couple have searched for their beloved pet night and day and are desperate to have him returned.

"We're in total despair. He's like a child to us," Lars Ullstrand, 60, told the paper when it first reported the dognapping.

The couple were however overjoyed upon hearing news of the anonymous donor's reward.

"It's nice to know that there is someone out there who cares about us. It makes me want to cry," Maina Ullstrand said.

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