I reported earlier on Murphy who was  found beaten in a park. We just got an update on his progress. Murphy is walking!

The 9-year-old German shepherd mix was able to stand up on his own Thursday morning, walk and come to people, said Stephen Pope, the veterinarian and medical director at the Dunwoody Pets Are People Too, where Murphy is being treated.

Focus on Murphy has shifted from worries of brain damage to getting him to eat, Pope said. Because of the shock, veterinarians are worried he may have trouble keeping food down but plan to begin working with him today.

Robert Kennedy who found Murphy while walking his dog has offered to pay for all the bills. This is an exceedingly generous offer seeing as the cost has already hit $3,000, and could reach $6,000. Not only has this wonderful man offered to pay for Murphy’s care he also plans on adopting him.

Offers have been pouring in to help Murphy so a trust fund has been set up. Donors can make a gift at Wachovia Bank, to the Murphy the Dog account, number 1010209642669.  Their number is (770) 452-1001.
The bank is located at 4280 N Peachtree Road in Atlanta, Georgia 30341. The article says donations can be made to any Wachovia, you may want to call to confirm this information.

Investigators are still looking for people who saw anything unusual in the park from 9 p.m. Monday until 7 p.m. Tuesday. Witnesses should call 404-294-2818.

* Picture of Joe Waters courtesy the Dekalb County Police.

In Atlanta, GA a dog beaten with a hammer and left for dead was found in a park on Wednesday.  Robert Kennedy was walking his dog when he saw “Murphy”, wrapped in a blanket on the ground.  Nearby was a hammer with blood.

I will never understand how anyone could ever hurt an innocent animal, it’s sickening.  The good news is that an arrest was made,  hopefully this despicable human will be held accountable for this sickening and cowardly act.

ATLANTA — As Murphy the dog continues to recover in a DeKalb County animal hospital, authorities arrested a man they said beat the dog with a hammer and left him for dead in Murphy Candler Park.

DeKalb police spokeswoman Kiesha Williams said Joseph Waters, 48, was taken into custody Wednesday shortly after questioning and charged with one count of felony cruelty to animals.

The dog did not have a name when brought to the Dekalb Animal Hospital so the staff called him “Murphy.”  Dr. Stephen Pope is hopeful Murphy will make a full recovery after being brought in with a skull fracture.  Although, he will most likely lose his left eye.

We hope Murphy has a speedy recovery and gets adopted by a  wonderful loving family. We hope that Joseph Waters sits in jail and gets what’s coming to him.

* Photo courtesy WSBK.com, click on pic to see slideshow.