KINDHEARTED people are helping to fund surgery to remove a large tumour from the face of Murphy the dog, who once prompted a nationwide search when he went missing.
The Siberian husky disappeared, believed stolen, in December 2014 from his home in Bradford.
The animal-loving community took Murphy and his family to heart and his plight was soon known across the UK and the world.
Murphy's disappearance triggered a high-profile search campaign on social media. He was even mentioned in Parliament by then Prime Minister David Cameron during Prime Minister’s Questions.
Now an online fundraising page has been set up to raise a £3,000 target to pay for an operation to remove a large tumour on the popular dog’s face.
Murphy, who is 12, has a tumour which started out as a pimple three months ago and has since developed.
Time to give a little back - Murphy. He needs a large tumour removing, and whatever care is needed thereafter. We haven't been asked to help, but we want to. Please read his story please share.... #letshelpmurphyhttps://t.co/qubmmPouAK pic.twitter.com/ET3NmuiUmd
— Murphy's Army (@findmurphyhusky) August 7, 2022
He is due to have an operation to remove the tumour on August 19 at Gatehouse Veterinary Group in Bingley.
The online page has already raised almost £2,000 since it was set up on Saturday.
The money raised will initially be spent on Murphy’s treatment, both immediate and ongoing. Any surplus donations raised, as agreed with Gatehouse, will be used to neuter animals brought to them by the rescue groups they work closely with.
Mr Smith says he has been touched by the donations. He said: “Murphy is alright in himself, he just has this big, unsightly lump. He is a handsome lad.
“I didn’t know about this GoFundMe page until it was set up.
“He has had it for about three months and it started as a little pimple and I thought it was a little tick left on. He is going to get the tumour removed on August 19.
“It’s amazing. I didn’t expect anything, to be fair. We’ve been the ones to offer help to people, but you don’t usually get the help back.”
Karen Pritchard, who set up Murphy’s GoFundMe page to pay for the tumour removal, says she has been touched by the response from kind-hearted people.
She said: “I’m delighted with the response. People have been very kind. Murphy has helped support so many other people that it’s time that he got something back.
“The money raised so far just shows how much love there is for Murphy.”
The campaign to find Murphy also received celebrity backing through the likes of Bradford illusionist Dynamo and comedian Johnny Vegas.
Go to gofundme.com/f/a-helping-hand-for-murphy-time-to-give-back to make a donation.
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