Two dogs who were abandoned in a house covered with faeces and urine are due to star on the small screen.

Sam the rottweiler and Lexi the staffy were left for two days at a home in south Croydon, but RSPCA Inspector Anthony Pulfer came to their rescue.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: "They had been locked in the front bedroom with no water and the room was covered in faeces and urine so it was obvious the dogs had been left for a few days."

The dogs will now feature in the Channel 5 Dog Rescuers show presented by Alan Davies.

Inspector Pulfer said: “We monitored the property and there was no person going in and out of the address. This made me obviously very concerned that the animals may not have food or water and could be suffering.

“When I’m called out to dogs that have been abandoned they are usually very distressed. It must be quite alien to them really. They’re used to someone feeding and watering them and trying to walk them every day. So when that suddenly stops it really alarms them and they get really anxious and really scared.”

Inspector Pulfer contacted the police to gain entry into the house. They found Lexi and Sam confined in the front room by a baby gate.

The two dogs were taken to the vets for a check-up where vet Vince Sifre found that Lexi was fairly healthy but had some problems with one of her ears which required drops.

Ten-year-old Sam the rottweiler was not in a good condition. The ageing dog had halitosis, bad teeth and lots of lumps that needed testing to see if they were malignant.

Lexi and Sam’s owner signed them over to the RSPCA and so the pair could be rehomed.

Lexi, now called Maisie, is living with Mo and Alan Brennan in Uckfield in Sussex and Sam has been rehomed to Pauline Griffiths in Coulsdon in Surrey. In a cruel twist of fate, both dogs have been diagnosed with cancer.

Pauline said: “Sam is doing really well. He’s meeting more dogs and attending dog obedience classes every week.

“He’s looking very healthy despite being diagnosed with cancer. He doesn’t show any signs. He’s eating really well and is happy.”

Lexi who has now been named Maisie by her new owners Mo and Alan Brennan has become a huge part of the couple’s life but sadly they were rocked by tragic news just a couple of weeks ago.

Mrs Brennan, who lives in Uckfield in Sussex, said: “She is an amazing little dog but sadly she has been diagnosed with cancer. It’s devastating.

“We noticed a lump on the back of her leg about two weeks ago and everything has moved very quickly since then. She was diagnosed with lymphoma and has already started chemo.

“She has lived with us for three months but it already feels like a lifetime. She’s such a big part of our lives now and we’re going to do the best we can for her.”