Abused dog has his day in parade

Murphy —- the dog who suffered severe head injuries after being bashed in the head with a sledgehammer earlier this month —- will showcase his amazing recuperation as part of the Chick-fil-A Bowl parade Wednesday in downtown Atlanta.

The Australian shepherd will walk with the Golden Retriever Rescue of Atlanta as part of the 1.25-mile parade from the Georgia Dome to the World Congress Center.

Robert Kennedy found the 9-year-old dog near death in Murphey Candler Park in Dunwoody Dec. 2 and is now Murphy’s foster owner. He also has two golden retrievers that he already planned to bring to the parade.

“He’ll be a retriever for a day,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy at first thought he would have to wheel Murphy, who remains somewhat wobbly after the attack. But Kennedy has taken Murphy on hikes with his other dogs, Stella and Charlie, and the injured dog has managed even longer walks than the parade route.

“He’s a spunky little fella,” Kennedy said. “He’s doesn’t just walk. He pulls on the leash.”

The rescue group plans to give Murphy a sign, designating his honor as a golden retriever, said board member Kathy Akopov. It will be the first time many group members, who know Kennedy from his volunteer work there, will meet Murphy.

The dog’s vet bills reached more than $6,000 at the Pets are People Too veterinary clinic, which treated him for a week after the attack. Murphy lost an eye but otherwise appears to have recovered from the severe skull fracture and shock.

“Everyone is just so excited,” Akopov said. “I think the goal is to show everybody that Murphy is doing OK.”

Murphy’s former owner, Joseph “Joe” Waters, 48, is free on $25,000 bail on a felony count of animal cruelty. DeKalb County police have not given a motive for the attack.