A FAMILY was shocked to see an image of their beloved dog starved half to death in last week's Guardian.

Vicki Rogers, 65, a grandmother of-three from Buckhurst Hill, said it was "beyond awful" when she realised the photograph with our report on an emaciated Staffordshire bull terrier left to die by its cruel owner was, in fact, her own pet pooch Mia.

Animal welfare officers found Mia and another dog called Shamps abandoned at a home in Chigwell last August.

Sophie Lewis, who had left them home alone while she went on holiday to Cyprus, has been jailed for cruelty.

Shamps starved to death, but a severely malnutrioned Mia pulled through and was re-homed with Mrs Rogers by the RSPCA.

Mrs Rogers, an insurance broker who lives with her partner in Loughton Way, said: "Mia has been with us for about nine months, and she has settled really well. She is very good natured, she is at the heart of our family and she is great with my grandchildren, "But she was really skinny when she arrived, and all we were told that she was about three years old and had been adopted by the RSPCA following a court case.

"So when I read the article it all started to add up, and it is just beyond awful to think what she must have gone through."

She added: "All I will say about her former is owner is 'why did you want a dog in the first place?'

"I really don't understand why some people have dogs - it is just so sad that some people are capable of this sort of thing."

Mrs Rogers says Mia is now happy and healthy and, despite learning about the dog's dreadful start to life, she is glad to have discovered more about her pet's history.

RSPCA officer Klare Kennett said: "We are delighted Mia now has made a good recovery with such loving family.

"We face sad stories here everyday, so it is great to hear that Mia's sad tale has had such a happy ending."