Abandoned poodles that were found in such an appalling condition that at first the RSPCA did not even realise they were dogs have undergone an amazing transformation.

The nine animals were found in such a poor state - with long matted hair covering their faces - that officers struggled to identify what breed they were.

The pets, found in Winchester - United Kingdom yesterday, were unable to see or stand and appeared to be just mounds of rags as they cowered in a huddle.

All of the poodles, which are worth up to £500 each, had to be shaved by vets, who found that each animal weighed a staggering 12 kilograms - almost half of what their whole body weight should be.

Each dog took around three hours to shave.

Winchester City Council's senior animal welfare officer, Dave Griffiths, said: 'In my 25 years of being in this line of work I've never seen anything like it.

'Because they are all poodles or poodle crosses and from the same litter, it is likely that they are from one owner.

'I can't understand how someone would let it get to that extent. To let a dog get to that stage is something I have never seen before.

'The mum is very people shy and she was in a very bad condition.

'They were terrified and and really scared, my heart went out to them.

'The standard poodle of this size weighs about 25 kilograms (3.9 stone) and when we clipped their coat the fur weighed 12 kilograms.

'Clipping them took a lot longer than usual, they took an average of three hours each.

'These dogs aren't pedigree dogs, but they would be worth anywhere from £300 to £500 as puppies - not in this condition though, it's really sad.

'It's not easy to trace the owner, we're putting out appeals and we are trying to trace them. But because they weren't pedigree anyone could have bred them.'

The mother , eight-years-old, has been named Sian and the others have been named: Mavis, Martha, Fay, Justin, Wills, Kate, Maria and Dave.

Jan Warwick, Winchester City Council's portfolio holder for environment, health and wellbeing, said: 'When i first saw them I was heartbroken.

'I wasn't quite sure what I was looking at.

'I was just hoping that they were taken care of and that none of them had to be put down.

'We have to legally take control of them for seven days. We make sure that they are safe

'After that we will pass them on to the RSPCA to do checks and then find the right place for them.

'We take in about 150 to 200 dogs every year but I've never seen anything as bad as this before.

'We really need the public to come forward and help us with any information that they have.'

Abigail Toms, environmental health manager for Winchester City Council, said: 'On Tuesday night, three were found on Morestead Road, Winchester.

'Two were found on Longwood Dean Lane in Owslebury, Winchester, on Wednesday morning. Three were found on Lower Baybridge Lane in Winchester, of Wednesday morning.

'The mum was dropped to a vet's in Alresford, Hants, by a member of public, who didn't leave any details, on Wednesday.

'We will make assessments of welfare needs and decide where best to place them.'