MURPHY the dog is recovering after having surgery to remove a large tumour from his face, paid for by kindhearted people through an online fundraising page.

The Siberian husky shot to fame back in 2014 when he disappeared, believed stolen, 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.

 

His group of loyal fans have stumped up £3,300 to pay for an operation to remove a large tumour on the right-hand side of the popular dog’s face.

Murphy, who is 12, had a tumour which started out as a pimple three months ago and has since developed.

He had the surgery to remove the large tumour at Gatehouse Veterinary Group in Bingley. He returned home to owner Andy Smith later that day.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Murphy the dog with a large tumour on his face before his surgery. NewsquestMurphy the dog with a large tumour on his face before his surgery. Newsquest

But a small tumour has now been found on the left-hand side of Murphy’s face and Mr Smith is awaiting results to see if that is cancerous or not and if Murphy will need a similar operation to last week’s.

He said: “He is all right in himself. He looked a bit angry afterwards. The bigger picture is whatever it was is out and all gone.

“He has had a couple of visitors. When he came out I slept downstairs with him. He couldn’t settle at first, he was pacing up and down. The day after his surgery he was a bit lethargic. It knocked him for six.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Murphy has had a large tumour removed from the right-hand side of his face. Mike Simmonds, NewsquestMurphy has had a large tumour removed from the right-hand side of his face. Mike Simmonds, Newsquest (Image: Mike Simmonds, Newsquest)

“The last few days have been about getting him to settle down and make him comfortable.”

Meanwhile, Mr Smith says he has been touched by the reaction from people to Murphy’s plight and the online fundraising page.

He added Murphy has received get well messages on social media and in cards from people from across the country and beyond.

Mr Smith said: “It’s been amazing, to be fair.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Owner Andy Smith takes Murphy for a walk after his operation. Mike Simmonds, NewsquestOwner Andy Smith takes Murphy for a walk after his operation. Mike Simmonds, Newsquest (Image: Mike Simmonds, Newsquest)

“To raise the money in three days is absolutely amazing. People love him. I get emotional when it comes to my dogs. He’s not just my dog, he has become the nation’s dog for the last eight years.

“I had a woman from Tennessee in the USA messaging me about his operation.”

The money raised by the GoFundMe page 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.

Go to gofundme.com/f/a-helping-hand-for-murphy-time-to-give-back to make a donation.