Heartbreaking pictures show the horrendous condition of abandoned dogs with fur so matted rescuers could barely recognise them

Heartbreaking photos have revealed the horrific conditions in which abandoned dogs are being locked up with fur that has become so dull that even rescuers struggle to recognize the animals.

Niall Harbison, a chef who now rescues dogs, shared shocking photos of the poor dogs, one of whom was so malnourished that he had maggots in his eye the day he was rescued.

Niall, who lives in Thailand, said the photos were sent to him on June 9, with a message asking for help regarding two dogs trapped in cages.

Their condition was so bad that Mr Harbison said he had to squint to even identify the animal as a dog.

He took the dogs back to his Happy Doggo rescue center and days later, after countless vet visits and more than twelve hours of care, Niall was pleased to report that the animals’ health had ‘completely improved’.

A post on X, formerly Twitter, by Niall Harbison, an Irishman now living in Thailand, showed shocking photos of the poor dogs – one of which was so malnourished he had maggots in his eye on the day he was rescued

Although he shared that one of the dogs, Faith, will lose her eye, the dog rescuer assured people that such an event is “not a big deal at all” given the condition in which she was initially found.

Niall is committed to rescuing dogs through his charity Happy Doggo, which he founded in 2021 after recovering from a near-death experience due to drug abuse.

Although he said one of the dogs, Faith, will lose her eye, the dog rescuer assured people that such an event is “no big deal at all” given the condition in which she was initially found.

Niall posted a heartwarming update on X on Tuesday: ‘They were at the beach today.

“It’s hard to believe that just 16 days ago they were sitting in cages, hopeless and terrified of their fur and the heat.”

He added: “They will continue their recovery for a few more weeks and then together we will find them a forever home.

‘Two little cheerful angels who deserve every moment together on the beach’.

Niall is committed to saving dogs through his charity, Happy Doggowhich he founded in 2021 after recovering from a near-death experience due to substance abuse.

While jogging around the area around Koh Samui, Thailand in an attempt to get his life back in order, Niall noticed a number of malnourished dogs, which he began bringing food to and sharing videos of online in the hope that they could be saved .

After his videos began to attract worldwide attention, he began feeding and vaccinating as many dogs as he could, but he soon became aware that sterilization would be the only way to solve the problem in the long term.

In 2023, Niall traveled to Europe, the United States and Dubai to host a series of dog walks where animal lovers could meet each other.

After thousands of people showed up, one lucky shelter dog was even saved.

Niall posted to X on Tuesday, sharing a heartwarming update: ‘They were on the beach today. It’s hard to believe that just 16 days ago they were in cages with no hope and in agony for their fur in the heat.’

Since then, through Niall’s tireless efforts, he has been able to secure a piece of land for a dog shelter, giving the sickest and most vulnerable animals the space to recover before they can be cared for.

Speaking to MailOnline in 2023 about his incredible journey, Niall said: ‘I started the mission after I ended up in intensive care in hospital. I nearly drank myself to death because I was suffering from anxiety and depression.

“I spent three days there and when I almost died, I vowed to change my life and do something meaningful.”

Discussing his ongoing struggle to stay sober, he added, “It’s not easy and I share that openly. I do that purely to hopefully help someone somewhere who needs it.

“I will never stop talking about it because there is still a huge stigma attached to it and it is seen as a weakness in society.”