£4,000 appeal launched to save the sight of dog who is disabled man's best friend in Milton Keynes

Darren Murphy is disabled and lives on a houseboat, where his constant companion is his small dog called Emily, or Millie for short.

Patterdale terrier cross Millie is a rescue dog and is only six years old. But she has suddenly developed severe cataracts in both her eyes and within days has gone almost completely blind.

" It will cost £6300 to remove the cataracts so she regains her sight," said Darren, who lives at the Peartree Bridge marina,

He has insurance for six-year-old Millie, who was diagnosed with diabetes at the beginning of the year. But the company has refused to cover the entire cost of the cataracts operation.

" My insurance company Purely Pets have behaved disgustingly," said Darren. "They have considered her blindness to be part of an ongoing condition so will only pay out £1900. I called to try and make them change their mind but they were heartless and insisted that's all they will pay."

He said Emily is struggling to get on and off the boat and is scared when the boat rocks because she cannot see what is going on.

"I would gladly pay for the operation if I was able but I can't and the cruelty displayed by Purely Pets is effectively condemning Emily to a life of blindness.

"To compound matters, I've just been made redundant due to the coronivirus."

Darren's neighbour at the marina, Ann Ashdown, said: "Emily is a lifeline to Darren and his sole companion, She is much more than a pet. Please help this kind man and save his beloved dog's sight."

A fundraising appeal has been launched online and so far it has raised £800 of its £4K target.

"I really pray that somehow I can raise the funds to pay for this so Millie can once again be let of the lead to run in the fields instead of cowering at every noise. "

You can make a donation to help Millie here .