UPDATED: Dog Beaten With Sledgehammer, Recovering – Local Story

Posted on 03 December 2008 by Spike

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beaten-dog-tv-image2ND UPDATE: If you can, please donate to this dog.  His medical bills have surpassed $3000, with the potential to hit $6000.  The man who found Murphy, Robert Kennedy, has said that he will pay the vet bill, but donations are welcome and can be made at any Wachovia Bank branch in the name of Murphy the Dog at any Wachovia back branch, account trust fund number 1010209642669.  VCA Pets Are People Too is helping coordinate donations for that fund in as well.  Their phone number is (770) 452-1001.  Their address is 4280 N Peachtree Rd, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, United States.  On a very happy note, Murphy is up and around, walking and coming to people when he is called.  They are concerned about whether he will be eating and if he can keep down any food he may eat.

joseph-waters1ST UPDATE:  The owner of the dog, Joseph Waters, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, based on a tip received by DeKalb County Authorities, and has been charged with one count of felony animal cruelty.  Murphy made it through the surgery  to repair the damage to his skull and remove his left eye.

Watching the news today with Mom, we saw this story about a dog beaten with a sledgehammer found nearby and left for dead in the Atlanta area’s Candler Park. Lucky for him, a neighbor to the park, Robert Kennedy was walking through the park and found him before his injuries ended his life. He was rushed to a nearby animal hospital, where they have been treating him. Mom says he is in PICU (Puppy Intensive Care Unit).

When he was interviewed by the news, Robert Kennedy stated that he found the dog wrapped in a blanket with the sledgehammer nearby. He rushed the dog to VCA Pets are People Too, where they found that he had a fractured skull and a badly damaged left eye. The likelihood for recovery is good, according to Dr. Stephen Pope, who also said that the damaged eye would likely be lost.  {UPDATE: Murphy did lose his left eye in surgery on Wednesday.}


20 Comments For This Post

  1. Trukindog Says:

    God Bless Murphy & speed his recovery and though cruel it may sound I think the guy who did this should be beaten with a sledgehammer.

  2. Megan Says:

    It broke my heart when I heard this story on the radio…who could do something like that to an animal

  3. Kateryna Says:

    PLEASE HELP THIS DOG!
    Donations can be made at any Wachovia Bank branch in the name of Murphy the Dog.
    Wachovia account trust fund number is 1010209642669.
    VCA Pets Are People Too is helping coordinate donations for that fund in the meantime. Their number is (770) 452-1001.
    Address: 4280 N Peachtree Rd, Atlanta, DeKalb, Georgia 30341, United States

    I called Wachovia to make the donation. They did not know about the situation. I found an account number on the internet that someone posted about this incident, but I wasn’t sure if it was legit since some scam artist could take advantage of this situation. The customer service rep said that it IS the account in the name of Murphy the dog and she saw people are making donations to it, so it’s not a scam. Verify name on the account before donating though.

  4. Sherry Says:

    Why would someone harm a helpless animal is beyond me.

  5. Ross Says:

    I get so angry when I hear stories about people doing things like that to animals.
    I agree with Truckindog, an eye for an eye. Lets hope he recovers and finds a good home.

  6. Kristen Says:

    Anyone who would do something like this to a dog needs to have their head examined. This Joseph Waters psycho should get some serious help. He’s an absolute waste of skin and bones. Wish I could find him yet tonight and see how he likes to be beat in the head with a sledgehammer. Worthless punk.

  7. Maggie Says:

    If anyone would like to write Mr. Waters a note expressing their disgust his address is:

    1469 Brawley Circle NE Atlanta, GA 30319

  8. steve Says:

    I am very happy to hear the dog is doing better.

    As for Mr. Waters… thanks for the address.

  9. dan Says:

    just because an account is opened in a dog’s name and people donate to it doesn’t make it legit.

  10. Spike Says:

    The account opened at Wachovia is a legit one. I did my research before publishing the info.

  11. Dog Lover Says:

    Give me a sledgehammer and the f*ckstick who beat him. I’ll have no problem administering the payback for the dog. Anyone who does this to man or beast is a f*cking coward.

  12. Dan Says:

    I like to believe that there’s a special place in hell for people who would do this to an innocent animal.

  13. Chris Says:

    Kennedy is a hero! I wish that precious Murphy gets a good home.

    Writing a note would be too easy for Waters. We, America, need harsher punishments for fuck-ups like this.

  14. shinseimori Says:

    To Trukindog-
    You’re right, “the guy who did this should be beaten with a sledgehammer.” Because he downright deserves it & needs a taste of his own medicine! >:(

  15. Jim Hall Says:

    Yea for the good Samaratin who help this poor dog. And thank goodness that the dog will live.

    As for the j*ck*ss who did this…

  16. Animals Angel Says:

    Joseph Waters!!! You are a complete and utter COWARD!!!! Exactly just how INSECURE are you as a man to have to do that to an innocent dog!??? I’m 5Ft 1inch tall and only weigh 58kgs but I know I could get you down with one hit you PATHETIC F***TARD!!!! You’re a disgrace to humanity and manhood… I wish I could be a fly on the wall when the big guys get you in the shower in JAIL!! LMAO!! A**HOLE!

  17. Kaitlin Says:

    I can’t believe it. I think he should get jailed for ATLEAST 15 YEARS. Poor doggie… I just don’t believe how anyone can beat up a dog, but even so, I would like to hear his f*cked up motive. He probably got pissed off at how a dog wouldn’t magically listen to his every command. It’s not like they know english! Abuse of any sort to any dog is just cruel, and evil. I hope Waters dies a slow, and painful death.

  18. MurphyAndSissyMom Says:

    Part of his punishment, besides receiving the same beating he gave Murphy, should be to pay all of Murphy’s vet bills.

  19. jay bram Says:

    While the treatment of this poor animal is horendous,does it make us any better to wish harm on another human being? that would make us lower than him. there should be punishment for abarant behavior,not retribution by a violent mob.I personally beleave the animal should be mercifully put to sleep. as well as the asshole that beat him. he is a sick individual and should not be allowed to remain in society.next time,and there will be a next time,it may be a child or a woman.

  20. Spike Says:

    Jay,

    Murphey has made a nearly full recovery, save his eye. No update yet on Waters’ situation.

1 Trackbacks For This Post

  1. Skidboot: An Amazing Working Dog « Says:

    [...] know if I have mentioned this before, but I am a big fan of dogs like me that work for a living.  After the story that occupied my day yesterday about Murphey, I needed to search for some inspirational stories to lift my spirits.  Luckily, someone on [...]

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