A DOG abandoned and left to die in a rubbish heap has been given a second chance at life thanks to an RSPCA animal home in Wethersfield.

Penny, an 18-month old saluki, was weak, starving and dehydrated when she was discovered in a rubbish tip completely by chance by two passersby whose car broke down nearby.

RSPCA inspector Rebecca Benson was rushed to the scene and took Penny straight to the vets, after the pet had been cruelly dumped.

She couldn’t stand and was so emaciated that she couldn’t even lift her head on her own.

The charity launched a full investigation and the brave mutt was taken in at Danaher Animal Home for a dose of much-needed care and attention.

Back on her feet within just two months, Penny stole the hearts of animal lovers across the country when she was invited to appear on ITV’s This Morning with Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, in the hopes of finding her a new forever home.

After seeing her on the show, couple Gordon and Carol Oxley made the trip to Danaher earlier this month, where they almost instantly fell in love with the battling pooch.

Mr Oxley said: “We feel we have been really lucky because she has settled in really well. She’s everything we could want.”

Penny has been there for less than a fortnight and has become best friends with a whippet in County Durham where the Oxleys live.

The retired couple, who used to borrow and walk friends’ dogs before picking up Penny, are even planning to take her away to France next summer for some well deserved relaxation time.

She has come a long way since she was dumped in that rubbish tip in East Tilbury, in June, and now the youngster has a bright future ahead of her thanks to the hard-work of the animal home.

Danaher manager Deborah Satchell said: “Penny’s story is a real rags to riches tale but if any dog deserves a life of pampering it’s this sweet girl.

“She was in such a state when she first arrived at the RSPCA so it’s absolutely wonderful to see her settled and safe in her new home - she’ll never be left thirsty or hungry again.”

To rehome a rescue dog, visit www.rspca.org.uk/findapet.

To donate to the RSPCA, visit www.rspca.org.uk/give.