Local entrepreneur, Dragon and philanthropist W. Brett Wilson, has some fun with his dog, Maja, LT, and Kazzam and Sweep, RT, as he was showing his love of canines at the grand opening of the W. Brett Wilson Family Dog Park. (Darren Makowichuk/QMI Agency)

OTTAWA - When a dragon gets mad, he gets generous.

Brett Wilson, the Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist and lead deal making dragon on CBC's Dragon's Den, offered a $1,000 reward through Twitter after hearing that a monument dedicated to fallen Canadian soldiers was found vandalized Thursday.

"I was a little (mad) that some (people) had desecrated the memory of any of our troops, let alone someone who had died most recently in Afghanistan," said Wilson.

An inukshuk -- a marker of respect and rememberence -- was built in memory of Sgt. Marc Leger and other fallen soldiers.

Leger was killed in Afghanistan in 2002, and the monument was displayed outside his parent's home for nine years before it was donated to the Royal Canadian Legion in September.

It sat sturdy and strong outside Legion headquarters in the Ottawa suburb of Kanata until recently, when it was toppled by vandals.

When Wilson heard what had happened, he took to Twitter hoping to help resolve the issue.

Thursday night he tweeted a message and a link to the story to his more than 1,300 followers.

"Please RT if you support - I will put up $1,000 as a reward to find vandals who wrecked a soldier's memorial in Ottawa."

Wilson said he's always had respect for military men and women. He grew up in a family of veterans, and trekked to Afghanistan in 2010 to visit soldiers.

Since he tweeted his message, he said he's received an overwhelming response on Twitter with other people showing support, and even offering financial contributions to the cause.

After the long weekend, he plans to be in touch with the Legion to arrange the funds.

Still, for him it's not about the money, it's about someone stepping forward and owning up to what they have done.

"It's OK to say you've made a mistake, I made a few yesterday and I'll make a few tomorrow, but in this case being apologetic is what it's all about," he said.

Police have also asked for the public's help in sharing any information they may have that could help the investigation.

marlo.cameron@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @marlocameron