A stray dog found in the Romanian countryside with his front legs deliberately chopped off has now been adopted by an Essex pub landlady.

The poor stray had been found walking on his bare bones, with the skin of his front two legs worn away and full of infection.

Renamed Colin, the dog has a new lease of life after being transported to his new owner, Claire Revis.

Many stray dogs in Romania are subject to awful torture (Picture: Ross Parry)

He will have to wait another month, however, to receive his specially made artificial legs.

‘It’s so rewarding to see dogs that have been mistreated re-homed to loving families,’ Ms Revis told the Hebden Bridge Times.

‘It will take two or three weeks after he’s fitted with the artificial legs for him to get used to it, just because he won’t know what’s going on.’

Ms Revis has raised £5,000 to transport Colin to Britain, with £3,000 going on his new artificial limbs.

She is hoping to raise more money for the required ongoing care and rehabilitation he would need.

‘People have donated from all over the world to see him come over and get re-homed – I’ve been so overwhelmed by the whole thing,’ she said.

‘It’s really restored my faith in humans.’

On the mend: Colin will soon receive artificial legs (Picture: Ross Parry)