A heart-rending video has emerged of a rescued dog that is so traumatised it does nothing but sit in the corner of the room and stare at the wall.

The video, which was shared by the Irish charity PAWS Animal Rescue, shows Cara sadly sitting in the corner of her new kennel and refusing to turn round despite the gentle cajoling of caring workers.

Although there are medical conditions that can prompt this type of behaviour in dogs, the charity said that a vet had examined Cara and concluded that, in this case, the animal was simply a nervous wreck and too scared to turn round.

Traumatised: Cara was so distressed and dejected she faced the corner of her kennel in silence. The heartbreaking video was posted by PAWS Animal Rescue Ireland in July 2015

The heartbreaking video was captioned by the charity as: 'What had made her like this?'

Rescuers fear Cara suffered years of unspeakable abuse that has left her distressed.

Cara's behaviour is all the more poignant given she is a sighthound, the name given to a group of dogs such as whippets and greyhounds that hunt by sight rather than through their noses.

While not always openly affectionate, sighthounds enjoy physical contact and crave comfort in-between bouts of energy

Happily, a short while after the video was first shared in July last year, PAWS reported that Cara was improving, and posted a picture of her sitting on a folded duvet, looking forward towards the camera.

Since the video has been posted Cara found a home with Michael and Theresa McGrath.

Why? Despite the cajoling efforts of staff - 'Come here, darling' - the sorry canine, can't be persuaded to move. PAWS have captioned the clip with, 'What had made her like this?'

Nerves: A vet has confirmed that the dog was incredibly nervous, rather than suffering from a severe medical condition which her actions can often be equated with

Importance of sight: Cara's behaviour is all the more poignant given she is a sight hound, a group of dogs such as whippets and grey hounds that hunt by sight rather than through their noses

A second video of her uploaded by PAWS showed the now happy canine having a 'conversation' with another hound on a sofa before the two descend into mutual howling.

PAWS was founded in February 1997 by Deirdre & Gina Hetherington in Sallins Co Kildare. They wanted to rehome unwanted dogs as well as take in dogs from Kildare Dog pound to save them from destruction.

Since 1997 PAWS has rescued, vaccinated, neutered and rehomed thousands of dogs. 70% of these were adults and their neutering programme has prevented millions of unwanted puppies being born and consequently dumped in ditches, dustbins and dog pounds.

On the mend: Happily, a short while later, PAWS reported that Cara was improving, and posted a picture of her sitting on a folded duvet, looking forward towards the camera