“SHE has got a twinkle in her eye again.”

One of the nine dogs abandoned in the countryside in appalling condition is making slow progress, an RSPCA inspector has today said.

Vets put the poodle-cross, which has been named Kate, on a drip after suffering severe dehydration. She was also unable to stand, walk, or eat after the ordeal.

Now she is making slow progress and is attempting to walk and eat again but RSPCA inspector Jan Edwards said she still needs constant care.

“The vet said that she had improved somewhat, which is really good news,” she said.

“She is now off the drip and is eating better. She is looking a bit more like an interested dog today.

“She's not out of the woods yet though, there is still work to be done.”

Ms Edwards said Kate has no muscle on her back legs, which still needs to be investigated, and blood tests are expected to take place today.

She is currently en route to the Ark at Stubbington where she will be cared for in the puppy unit.

Kate is one of nine dogs, believed to be a family of eight one-year-olds and their eight-year-old mother, found dumped near Winchester last week.

Their fur was so matted they were unrecognisable as dogs and unable to stand, walk or see properly. It took vets three hours per animal to remove the hair, which in some cases weighed 12 kilos - nearly half their body weight.

The other eight dogs are currently being cared for by the RSPCA at the Ark in Stubbington, Mount Noddy near Chichester and Ashley Heath.