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Dog the Bounty Hunter knocks on Brian Laundrie's door as he joins search

The reality TV star and former bail bondsman arrived at the house of Laundrie's parents Christopher and Roberta Saturday afternoon, September 25

Dog the Bounty Hunter has officially joined the hunt for Gabby Petito's missing fiance Brian Laundrie, whose whereabouts are publicly unknown at present. Law enforcement officials are out on a massive manhunt for him. The search entered its second week on Saturday, September 25.

The reality TV star and former bail bondsman arrived at the house of Laundrie's parents Christopher and Roberta Saturday afternoon. MEAWW previously reported how Dog - real name Duane Chapman, 68, offered his take on how he would track down Laundrie, who has been missing since September 15.

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The well-known TV tough guy was seen in viral footage dressed head to toe in black as he marched up the drive and knocked repeatedly on Laundrie's front door. "I need to speak to the father," Chapman told the Daily Mail as he continued to bang on the door of the North Port, Florida property. "I need to ask him where his son is. Is he in there?"

Chapman was confident of solving the mystery of Laundrie's whereabouts. "Yes - I will find him," he told the newspaper. "I'm chasing several leads. We've got a lot of leads. I can't tell you more but we are getting leads every ten minutes." The Bounty Hunter has reportedly set a six-week deadline for himself to find Laundrie, ahead of the fugitive's 24th birthday in November. 

Laundrie allegedly told his parents he was going hiking in the nearby Carlton Reserve, five miles away from their home. However, Chris and Roberta alerted cops only three days after their son went missing. Laundrie was on a cross-country road trip with his fiance Petito, 22, who was last seen alive on August 25. He reportedly returned to Florida alone on September 1. Petito was reported missing by her parents 11 days later, and her remains were discovered on September 19 following an extensive search. Her death was ruled a homicide, but the manner of death is yet to be established. FBI agents are currently working with local law enforcement as their hunt for Laundrie in an alligator-infested reserve five miles from his home.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Chapman also revealed that he had set up a special phone line - 833-TELL-DOG - so the public can relay tips and leads to his team. According to Chapman's rep, he is volunteering his services after being moved to help Petito's embattled family and has vowed to cooperate with law enforcement. He has assured that all leads and tips he receives from the public will be confidential. "Dog and Francie have experienced extreme loss themselves," Chapman's rep told the newspaper. "Their hearts go out to Gabby's family and want to help bring justice for her death."

After no one answered Laundrie's front door Saturday, Chapman turned around and walked back to his vehicle, with his new wife Francie Frane, 52, on the wheel. He said he would reveal more shortly as the pair sped away. Social media was inundated with reactions to the bizarre development in the harrowing case that has gripped the nation for weeks.

"Anyone have Dog the Bounty Hunter at Brian Laundrie’s parents' house on today’s Bingo card?" radio host Geoff Pilkington joked.

"Dog the Bounty Hunter is now officially looking for Brian Laundrie. This is the most Florida thing I’ve ever heard and I honestly think Dog might be able to do it. My mom is a member of his fan club. I trust her judgment," vlogger Lin DeFranco tweeted.

"If dog the bounty hunter finds Brian laundrie before the FBI, then we really need to reevaluate the FBI," one Twitter user quipped.

"How truly American would it be if Dog the Bounty Hunter found #BrianLaundrie before the police," a comment read.

"If I was #BrianLaundrie’s mom? I’d be on the phone like “Dog the god damn Bounty Hunter just knocked on the door. GET YOUR ASS HOME! IM DONE!” another cracked.

Chapman and Frane were in Florida for their honeymoon after tying the knot on September 2, but the pair sprung into action after the round-the-clock coverage of the Petito case. The reality TV personality reportedly noted how Petito's best friend, Rose Davis, had suggested Laundrie used to spend long periods living alone in the Appalachian mountains.

"Unless there is convincing evidence that he's in the swamp in Florida that we don't know about, Dog does not think he's in there," a source close to Chapman told the Daily Mail. "He thinks he will stick to what he knows, namely the Appalachians. That's where he knows he can survive for long periods because he's done it before. He doesn't think Brian would have the guts to kill himself. He's doesn't seem the violent type.