The Atascadero Police Department is seeking public assistance after a 34-year-old man, last seen in Atascadero on Oct. 22, was reported missing.

Authorities say Todd Joseph Pinion was last active on social media on the morning of October 23.

On Thursday, the 34-year-old’s dog was found dead on Highway 101 near Cuesta Grade, according to APD. It was reported that the California Highway Patrol helicopter searched the area a short time later but could not locate the missing person.

APD said Pinion is known to frequent southern San Luis Obispo County and was last reported to have visited the Nipomo area. Authorities add that Pinion was staying with different friends in different places.

Authorities say the missing person is 5 feet 10 inches tall, 115 lbs, with brown hair and blue eyes. According to APD, Pinion regularly wears multiple rings and bracelets on both arms and has recently been known to wear a red and black fox mask. He also reportedly has numerous tattoos, including a dream catcher on his right shoulder, a fox with a sunflower, octopus tentacles on his right bicep, a strawberry/clock on his left wrist, and a cloudy moon on his left shoulder.

APD says it is working with allied agencies in the search.

Authorities are urging community members to contact them if they have any information – no matter how insignificant they think it is – by emailing or calling Detective Sergeant Kellye Netz at [email protected] or (805) 461-5051.

APD is also asking residents to refrain from sharing unverified information on social media as it could hinder the investigation.

This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.