AN animal charity is appealing for help covering the cost of caring for Barney, a year-old chocolate Labrador who is recovering from surgery after arriving at K9 Crusaders covered in “lumps and bumps.”

At first volunteers at the Bissoe-based charity thought Barney may be riddled with tumours to add to a skin condition, sore eyes and a fracture which left him lame.

They thought his outlook was “bleak” but an operation found that the cause of the lumps was a sinus tract infection.

A spokesman for the charity said: “The vet removed the massive infection from his head and spent over two hours stitching up the wound. Barney will need further veterinary treatment but the outlook is now a lot more positive for him.

"However, the cost of the vet's bills to treat his many on-going issues, are estimated to be in excess of £1,000."

To help Barney contact k9crusaders@hotmail.co.uk.