EL PASO, Texas -- Desert land in parts of the county can be people's dumping grounds. One Horizon City man said it makes him furious to see people go as far as dump their pets there.

Rescuers believe a dog named Hope was living in the far east El Paso desert for about a week.

"Five days later, we happened to pass by here again and the same dog was still laying on the mattress and I noticed that she was emaciated," said Ralph Padilla, the Horizon City man who found Hope.

Padilla noticed Hope during one of his long walks and thought it was just one of the neighborhood dogs, but later realized Hope was hurting.

"The second time I could see in his eyes that it was hurting and it was kind. So I did approach it," said Padilla.

Padilla took Hope to a veterinarian and called the Animal Rescue League where she's recovering and responding to human touch once again.

"You can beat them, kick them, starve them and yet they're so forgiving," said Loretta Hyde who runs the Animal Rescue League.

"I think someone just came over here and dumped and it was waiting for those same people to come pick it up," said Padilla.

Padilla said the desert is a trash bin for some people. He finds trash, construction debris and old furniture. But some of the most disturbing things he's seen are the remains of animals.

"We've seen some carcasses out there of dogs that have been abandoned also, but we were unable to do something about it," said Padilla.

But he was able to do something for Hope.

"It makes me very happy that Hope is doing well and I hope she'll find an adoptable home," said Padilla.

Hope is suffering from pneumonia, but rescuers believe she can recover in a few weeks.