Episode 13 Animal 24:7


Episode 13

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Britain's animals are under threat.

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All too often, our wildlife and domestic pets

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are the victims of cruelty, persecution and neglect.

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Fighting to save them is a dedicated band of people trying

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to protect and care for them right around the clock.

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This is Animal 24/7.

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In the air, on land and in the water, Britain is a haven for animals.

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But when they come up against man, their lives are often in danger.

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From our cramped inner cities to our fields and hedgerows,

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from the highest moorland to the coast and beyond, Animal 24/7 is

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with the people working around the clock to save endangered wildlife and protect vulnerable pets.

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These are their stories.

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Today, on Animal 24/7, no way out.

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Three felines locked in a filthy flat.

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I've never actually seen or smelt anything quite like this.

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I can't believe that a living thing is actually here.

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I join an investigation into claims that racing greyhounds are being abused.

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The initial call was about them being locked up 24/7. They were locked up in a shed.

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Oh, no, not in a shed. No.

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And it's a busy day for this canoe club, as they rustle up 60 swans for their annual MOT.

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With these things, you know, they're wild animals, so anything can happen.

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Reports of animals being kept in dirty conditions are an everyday occurrence for the RSPCA,

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but every so often, a case comes along that shocks even the most hardened inspector.

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In North Yorkshire, Helen Smith is on a job where three cats are being kept in horrific surroundings.

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But it's not just the animals that are living in squalor.

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Amazingly, their owner lives here, too.

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It's early morning in Scarborough and in this block of flats

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live three cats that are virtually housebound.

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For the second time in as many days, RSPCA inspector Helen Smith arrives at the property.

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Yesterday, Helen warned the owner about the way he was keeping his pets.

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Now she's come back to see if anything has changed.

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This is a property that has, apparently, three cats in it.

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At the minute, the conditions are not good, to say the least.

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Although the owner's not in, Helen's been given permission by the landlord to go inside.

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The open door instantly reveals why Helen is so concerned for these animals.

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As you can see, there's faeces as soon as you walk in.

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But the state of this flat means she must take extra precautions before she can go in.

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I've served the person who lives here with a warning notice.

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I've given him a week and a half to clean an area for the cats to live in

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and now I'm just going to go and take some photographs for our case.

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Every single room in this small flat is in an appalling state.

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What makes this case worse is that the cats are locked in here, day and night, with no means of escape.

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The evidence of neglect is powerfully obvious and it's amazing

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that anything could survive in these horrific conditions.

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Obviously, I can only describe the smell but it is actually hitting the back of my throat

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and it's just a pure smell of cat faeces and cat urine.

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These cats are living in here, constantly.

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Cannot get any fresh air, whatsoever.

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All they are basically doing is inhaling

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their own faeces and own urine, which eventually, after a period of time, is going to cause damage to them.

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I've never actually seen, or smelt, anything quite like this.

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And I can't believe that a living thing is actually here.

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Although Helen's here to record the conditions, checking up on the state

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of the cats themselves is proving difficult.

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With no contact with the outside world,

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they're scared and hide away in the shelter of this chaotic furniture.

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I'm trying to see a cat.

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I'm trying to scare one out.

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They've probably not seen much daylight,

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and they've probably been left alone for quite long periods of time,

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so they are quite skitty, you know, they run away from you.

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So we might not actually see the cats today but I have seen them.

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They will be hiding. They were hiding yesterday.

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We managed to scare them out so I could have a quick look at them.

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As far as I could tell, they were quite lean.

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As you can see, all the cat food tins are there so we can't tell when they were actually last fed.

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It's hard to imagine animals living in this place, but it's also somebody's home.

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He's shutting them in this environment 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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As I can see, they have absolutely no clean, fresh drinking water that they can just leisurely drink.

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They are forced to go to the toilet on the carpet, you know, which is just disgusting.

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After checking the cats over only yesterday, Helen knows they're not in any immediate danger.

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She's committed to giving the owner one final chance to mend his ways.

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Obviously, everybody would like to see me coming in now and just taking these cats out today.

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But we're obviously bound by law, this is somebody's property,

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the cats are actually somebody's property, you know,

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cats and animals are classed as property,

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so we can't just come in and take things, obviously, it's theft.

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We have to be able to give this man a reasonable chance to sort the house out,

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just to make it fair on him, really.

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I mean, he might have a perfectly good excuse for living like this, you know.

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It's very hard not to judge people in this job.

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But whoever's responsible and whatever their reasons are for living like this,

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they won't be given the benefit of the doubt for much longer.

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I'll come back in a week and a half. If it still isn't clean, we'll get the cats out

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and, hopefully, get them into a nice clean environment which they obviously deserve.

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But will she find any cats and will things have improved when Helen returns?

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Later...

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battling the booze, the cats' keeper owns up to why his home is in such a mess.

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I just can't cope any more. So I started drinking.

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-I let things get out of hand, really.

-Yeah.

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And using their loaf - the villagers tempt a group of swans towards their annual check-up.

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They're greedy, as you can see. There's about a tonne, a metric tonne, of swan in there.

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Now, greyhound racing has had a really bad reputation in recent years.

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There have been numerous high-profile cases of neglect

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and claims that hundreds of dogs are dumped every year as soon as their racing days are over.

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So when I was out with the RSPCA and yet another report came in, naturally, I expected the worst.

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Boulby, North Yorkshire, and there's been a serious allegation about a number of racing greyhounds.

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I'm on patrol with RSPCA inspector Laura Hunt following up the complaint.

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Hello.

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A series of people have called in, claiming eight dogs are locked up in a shed.

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My name's Laura. I'm with the RSPCA.

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We've had a call about your greyhounds.

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The initial call was about them being locked up 24/7, so is it all right

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if we come and have a look at them? Is that all right?

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It's also alleged the dogs are muzzled day and night.

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The owner's at work but his daughters, Natalie and Vicky, are minding the pets.

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How many have you got in total, then?

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We've got seven down there. We've got one in the house

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but we're looking after another one while someone's on holiday.

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Blimey. Right. What's the story, then?

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Are they pets or are they racers or ex-racers? You race them, do you?

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Well, not all of them. We've got three that are retired.

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-Right.

-One in the house. And then we've got two more... if you just want to go in.

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-Is that all right?

-Yeah.

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This is a serious allegation and Laura wants to investigate further.

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Now, I mean, the initial call that we had was, as I said,

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that you'd seven greyhounds that are locked up in a shed.

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Oh, no, they're not in a shed. No.

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Another call that we had through was that they're muzzled to stop them from barking.

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Oh, yeah. We used to have...

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-You know the one we're looking after at the minute, he used to bark a lot.

-Right.

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So what about the muzzling, then? Do you muzzle them?

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We muzzle them for a bit, so they know they've got to shut up, but we take it off.

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-We haven't had any on today.

-Right. Right. Right.

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-We don't muzzle them often.

-We've just got two new puppies.

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-They was a bit yappy at first, just cos it's new surroundings.

-Yeah.

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Despite the reassurances, Laura wants to see the kennels

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where these working and retired hounds are being kept.

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Hello, guys.

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-That's great. You've got the water down and all the bedding, as well, in there.

-Yeah.

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Which are the ones that are retired?

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-These two here?

-Why did it retire?

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It broke its leg in a race.

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And my dad's too soft to have them put down so he won't do it.

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We've had them since they were babies. They were our first dogs.

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-Oh, they're beautiful dogs, I must say.

-Yeah.

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As far as I can see, there's not a muzzle in sight.

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Obviously, if I came along and saw like dogs that were

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permanently muzzled, then obviously I'd be giving you advice. Yeah. Yeah.

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My dad hates doing it but obviously you get nervous about complaints.

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But it's only just done in the morning when they're getting wound up

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-and it's taken off once they settle down?

-Yeah. Yeah.

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Right. Right. No. That's fair enough.

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Assured that muzzles are only used as a last resort to stop the dogs barking,

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Laura goes on to check other aspects of their welfare.

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Do they get much exercise at all?

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Are you able to exercise, especially the retired ones?

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Yeah. They get a walk in the morning and night, about a 40-minute walk.

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-The lot of them, together?

-Yeah. My dad does two walks.

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-Oh, right.

-My mum, as well.

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And we've got a gallop. We own about a 500-metre gallop.

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-Right.

-They go there once or twice a week for a gallop.

-Oh, right. Right. Excellent.

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They've also got like a drag hair, but you don't put hair in it, obviously.

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It's like a carrier bag of some fluff and we reel that in

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-and they chase that as part of their training.

-Right.

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Your dad's got a good setup here.

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It's very, very clean and I mean, I can't see any poo or anything.

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They've got fresh water down.

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-They've got the company from each other, as well.

-Yeah.

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I'm amazed at this setup and Vicky's dad has grand designs out in the garden.

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This work in progress will become a deluxe dog gymnasium, complete with jacuzzi and treadmill.

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The report was of greyhounds kept in a fairly small shed,

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the muzzles on, barking problems.

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We get here and it's almost the completely reverse.

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Really, really, nicely-kept animals.

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But not all greyhounds are quite so lucky.

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Every year, the RSPCA rehomes 1,500 retired greyhounds that have been neglected and abandoned.

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What does your dad plan to do with the retired ones, then?

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Does he want to keep them as pets or would he want us to look at getting them rehomed?

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Well, we've got three that we're definitely keeping.

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We've had one rehomed recently, but when these all retire, he wants to rehome them.

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-Right.

-He's in the Greyhound Trust Fund at Doncaster.

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Oh, right. Yeah. Yeah. OK.

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Satisfied the dogs are clean and have the run of the garden for hours

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at a time, we take a closer look at the next generation of sprinters.

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The big dog's Freddie.

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And the small bitch is Scarlet.

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So these are the newest two that we've got.

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They're just going to be racing.

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Think they're not even a year old, yet.

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I always thought greyhounds would be highly strung and hard work, but this lot are really nice.

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They're really laid-back animals. They really are.

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Although if you go for a walk and you see a cat or something, then...

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they're taking YOU for a walk!

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After a quick examination, Freddie and Scarlet get the thumbs-up from Laura.

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Sometimes, greyhounds are just seen as pound signs rather than actual dogs and pets,

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but I can quite honestly say I can't see that in this scenario, at all.

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They've got chews and toys around.

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They've got a big, large area. They've got company from each other.

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They've all got names.

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They're obviously well-loved pets as well as a bit of a hobby.

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They look in great shape, don't they?

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Really, really well. Yeah.

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They're lovely dogs.

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It's been an unexpected but successful conclusion to our emergency call-out.

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We can leave confident that the dogs are in safe hands.

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Still to come - I spend a night at the dogs to witness just how seriously welfare is taken.

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It's quite common for greyhounds to get wrist injuries. Just a gentle squeeze like that,

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if they've got an injury, they'll squeak and let you know.

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And wild at heart, will these cats let the RSPCA help?

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-..grab him. They think your grab is more vicious than a dog.

-Oh, dear.

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Although swans are probably one of Britain's best-loved birds, every year thousands are attacked,

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poisoned or injured as a direct result of man.

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But in Burton on Trent, the whole community are working together

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to protect and care for a flock of mute swans that live on the river in their village.

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A team of volunteers round up and check over 60 swans

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in a practice called "swan upping" that dates back to the 12th century.

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The River Trent, in Staffordshire, home to over 60 much-loved mute swans.

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And an annual spectacle is about to take place.

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It's the height of summer and the birds are moulting.

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They're unable to fly so it's an ideal opportunity to round them up and give them their yearly MOT.

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It's an event that the whole community, young and old, help out with.

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Bert Coleman is in charge of the operation.

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The data that we collect from today will go into our database.

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This is the longest standing study of mute swans in the world and the database is quite enormous.

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It's used by a number of ornithological societies for

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their research and we're very pleased to be able to give them such data.

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But how do you round up over 60 swans from a river?

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This job calls for the local canoe club.

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Stefan Bodnar is in charge of the flotilla.

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Today we're going to try and bring the swans down the Trent,

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down to this point, and then feed them into this channel.

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We're hopeful we're going to have a nice straight line of canoes

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that are going to push them ahead and we'll head them off at the Corral, so to speak.

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With these things, you know, they're wild animals, so anything can happen.

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While Bert waits for the swans to arrive, he knows that a tricky day lies ahead for the team.

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While swans are very unpredictable creatures, and if they did

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everything we wanted them to do, things would be very simple.

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The birds are about a half a mile away, at the moment, maybe slightly less than that.

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Onlookers wait patiently for the first sign of the majestic swans,

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then finally, a floating white herd hoves into view.

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At the moment, what we've got is about 60 or 70 swans down here.

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And they're being pushed by a small group of people in canoes.

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We're just going to get into position now, sort of head them off so they go into the catching pen.

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So they should be here in a couple of minutes. We've just got to get in position.

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The canoes herd the swans in the right direction, then volunteers,

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armed with some trusty chunks of bread, tempt the birds toward the channel.

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They're greedy, as you can see.

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They're very hungry birds and this is part of what we're going to do, is entice them with bread.

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The swans have taken the bait.

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All 60 glide into the holding pen.

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There's about a ton, a metric ton, of swan in there.

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The next stage is to get them up onto dry land but that's not as easy as it sounds.

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We've got to make sure they don't come through here so we've got extra people behind

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and really to try and do it with as less stress as possible, really, is the main concern.

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Are we ready?

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They're thinking about it!

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Once on the riverbank, the team gets to work.

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It's mainly weighing that we'll be doing and we will then be checking whether

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or not we caught this swan last year and if so, is it an improvement in

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its condition, is it the same or has it improved, whatever.

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As well as collecting data on the swans, each bird is

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checked for injuries that can be caused by discarded fishing tackle.

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There are about 40,000 mute swans in Britain and their numbers have risen steadily since one of the main

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threats to their health, lead weights used by fishermen, were banned.

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Fishermen are much more careful now than what they were.

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And now the lead alternatives are out,

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the incidents of lead poisoning has, in my opinion, dropped dramatically.

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Unfortunately, of course, you're looking at decades of lead-shot weights on the bottom of rivers

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and very hot summers when the water levels go down, then these birds can actually reach down and pick it up.

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And so when you get an upsurge in lead poisoning, it's nothing to do with fishermen

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using that lead again, it's the birds can go down and reach the lead which they couldn't reach before.

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Thankfully, all these birds seem in perfectly good health..

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We look at the feather stage. This one's quite interesting.

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They're all at slightly different stages of moult.

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This one's regrowing its feathers.

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There's a little bit left in pin which is red, that's the blood.

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So, at this stage, these feathers are still alive.

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Once they're fully formed, the blood withdraws

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so you have to be quite careful we don't break those at this stage.

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And for those taking part in today's checks, they're helping to maintain an age-old tradition.

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I think this is the fifth longest running study of any birds in the world.

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So this was started in 1961 and it's been continuous every year since then, so what's that...

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47 years! So it's a very, very long study and a lot of the information

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about mute swan populations and dynamics and everything else in the UK comes from this study.

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So it's a really important long-term study to continue doing. Lovely.

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That one can go. Let's get some more.

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Need more swans.

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After each swan is checked, they're free to go.

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Enthusiastic helpers of all ages play their part in making sure everything runs smoothly.

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My job has mainly been to carry swans to Bert and he's releasing them.

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And one by one, the swans are swiftly put back where they came from.

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We want to try and get them on the water as quickly as we can.

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As the operation reaches its swan song for another year, the team can look back on a job well done.

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I'm quite delighted with the whole round-up. It's gone splendidly.

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One of the best swan round-ups we've had at Burton-on-Trent for many a long year.

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Still to come...

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I meet one greyhound racer who gives his dogs the five-star treatment.

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It assists in repairing injuries, takes bruising out.

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-As well as being a very relaxing time, by the look of it.

-Yeah.

0:20:300:20:33

Now it's back to RSPCA inspector, Helen Smith and three cats living in a filthy flat.

0:20:370:20:44

The pets are locked in the house day and night

0:20:440:20:47

with no way of getting out and the conditions are appalling.

0:20:470:20:51

Helen desperately wants to get the cats away from the mess

0:20:510:20:54

but she's also keen to know why they've been left to live like this.

0:20:540:20:59

Helen Smith is back in Scarborough to see if anything has changed for the three cats living in squalor.

0:21:050:21:11

Just returned today, just to see if he's done what I've asked him to do.

0:21:110:21:15

Just have a look at the cats' condition and obviously give him some

0:21:150:21:18

more advice on how they can live in a clean environment.

0:21:180:21:23

If the flat's in the same mess, Helen plans to take the cats away,

0:21:230:21:27

-so she's brought colleague Leanne Honus as backup.

-Oh, he's here.

0:21:270:21:32

The cats' owner, Thomas, is there to meet them.

0:21:320:21:36

Have you taken the carpet up?

0:21:360:21:38

Yeah. Taken it up to scrub the floor.

0:21:380:21:40

Helen's impressed and can a definite attempt has been made to improve things.

0:21:400:21:46

-Can I come in and have a chat with you?

-Yeah, if you want to.

0:21:460:21:51

Well, it's a lot better than when I saw it last time.

0:21:510:21:53

So how come you've done this... because of my warning notice that I gave you, is it?

0:21:530:21:58

Well, it wasn't only that, was it.

0:21:580:21:59

I mean...

0:21:590:22:01

-the mess here...

-Yeah.

0:22:010:22:03

-is nobody's fault but my own.

-Yeah.

0:22:030:22:06

-OK.

-I went on the...

0:22:060:22:08

-Beer. Well, at least you're honest.

-I am...

0:22:080:22:11

But I'm not usually a drinker.

0:22:110:22:13

The mess I've been getting in and other things, I thought...

0:22:130:22:17

I just can't do it any more. I just started drinking.

0:22:170:22:19

-Right.

-I let things get out of hand, really.

-Yeah.

0:22:190:22:23

Thomas' drinking problem has meant his life has taken a turn for the worse and he's struggling to cope.

0:22:230:22:29

But despite the conditions he keeps them in, his cats are his companions and he doesn't want to lose them.

0:22:290:22:35

When I saw them last time, they were quite wild.

0:22:350:22:38

I can't even get this out until I get somewhere to move.

0:22:380:22:42

-Yeah.

-I've been offered a load of help.

-Yeah.

0:22:420:22:45

-Are they in here?

-They're in here, somewhere.

0:22:450:22:47

Although the hallway is cleaner, Thomas hasn't yet got round to clearing the rest of the flat.

0:22:470:22:53

Have you cleaned up all by yourself in the hallway, taken the carpet up and everything?

0:22:530:22:57

Yes. I've refused help from my mates and everything.

0:22:570:22:59

Why? Why don't you let them help you?

0:22:590:23:02

-No. Like I said, it's my mess, I've got to do it.

-Fair enough.

0:23:020:23:05

I've got to prove it to myself. Now where are they hiding?

0:23:050:23:08

Although Thomas is now trying to care for his pets, Helen still needs to check them over...

0:23:080:23:14

but because they've not been getting much attention, they're skittish and hide away.

0:23:140:23:18

-They're quite wild, aren't they.

-No.

0:23:180:23:21

-Are they not with you?

-No. Come on.

0:23:210:23:22

They must have been scared when I came, that's all.

0:23:220:23:25

The little one, she's a bit of a... what I call a lad.

0:23:250:23:29

-Yeah.

-You know, he takes no nonsense.

0:23:290:23:32

Yeah.

0:23:320:23:33

Will they come out for food, do you think?

0:23:330:23:35

Suddenly, Thomas spots the first of his cats, Tigger.

0:23:350:23:39

-Can you see him?

-Come here, Tigger.

0:23:390:23:42

But he won't be coaxed from his hiding place, so Helen and Leanne offer to help.

0:23:420:23:46

Thomas warns them his cats can be temperamental.

0:23:460:23:49

Maybe, in a cat basket, maybe.

0:23:490:23:52

You see the one with two white marks here. Don't grab him.

0:23:520:23:56

OK. All right. I'll get some gloves.

0:23:560:23:59

-Sometimes he's more vicious than a dog.

-Oh, dear.

0:23:590:24:02

Frightened cats can give a nasty bite.

0:24:020:24:05

-Leanne and Helen aren't taking any chances.

-I can't even see them.

0:24:050:24:08

-You can't?

-No.

0:24:080:24:10

It may be a small flat but this jumble of furniture makes it easy for these cats to disappear.

0:24:100:24:17

They've got to be somewhere.

0:24:170:24:18

It's a mystery where these cats have gone.

0:24:180:24:21

How bizarre. Not under here.

0:24:210:24:23

But then Leanne discovers their secret hiding place.

0:24:230:24:26

Hey, there's a great big hole in the back of this sofa.

0:24:260:24:29

-I think they can get inside.

-Right.

0:24:290:24:32

There's one.

0:24:320:24:34

Just under that unit.

0:24:340:24:35

Tigger's cover is blown again and he makes a bolt for it.

0:24:350:24:39

Helen seizes the opportunity and finally, the first cat is caught.

0:24:390:24:44

Yeah. Get the basket.

0:24:440:24:45

But the victory's short-lived and he's not yet in the bag.

0:24:450:24:49

Quick. Quick. Quick.

0:24:490:24:50

That's why you need gloves on.

0:24:530:24:56

Tigger heads for the bedroom where Leanne spots a window of opportunity.

0:24:560:25:00

-Wheezing.

-With nowhere to run and nowhere to hide...

0:25:020:25:06

-Right, Helen, have you got the basket?

-Yeah.

0:25:060:25:09

Tigger is brought to book.

0:25:090:25:10

-There you go.

-Brilliant.

0:25:100:25:13

Now Helen can give the cat a health check.

0:25:130:25:15

If he's not in good condition, Thomas could face losing Tigger and the rest of his pets, too.

0:25:150:25:21

Let's bring him into the light for you. Mind your fingers.

0:25:210:25:24

-Chuck it in the lounge.

-Right.

0:25:240:25:26

-He looks in reasonable condition.

-He looks all right.

0:25:260:25:29

His coat's in quite good condition.

0:25:290:25:31

He's not got any fur loss which is a good indication that he's not got a flea allergy.

0:25:310:25:35

He's obviously quite scared at the minute.

0:25:350:25:38

He's not really, really skinny.

0:25:380:25:40

His fur's all right. His coat's quite shiny which means he's obviously getting an all right diet.

0:25:400:25:44

If all the cats are as healthy as Tigger, Helen is happy for Thomas

0:25:440:25:49

to keep them as long as he continues to clear up the flat.

0:25:490:25:52

We'll just catch them all like this, all three of them,

0:25:520:25:55

and then what I'll do is, I'll nip them down to the vet...

0:25:550:25:58

just get them checked out, get them flead and then we can bring them back here.

0:25:580:26:02

But as Helen sets out her plans for Thomas to make a fresh start,

0:26:020:26:05

he begins to wonder if he can give his cats the care they need.

0:26:050:26:10

-I know I wanted to keep them...

-Yeah.

0:26:100:26:13

It's not only upsetting me, it's upsetting them worse.

0:26:130:26:17

Well, I can tell you now, they have got a place at an animal home.

0:26:170:26:20

I've already sorted that out because I didn't expect you to be in

0:26:200:26:23

and I expected the place to be in the state it was when I last came...

0:26:230:26:26

but that's something that you're going to have to think about and decide.

0:26:260:26:30

Let me go and get the forms, give you a minute to have a think.

0:26:300:26:33

-OK. And I'll go and get a couple of baskets. All right?

-Yeah.

0:26:330:26:38

I won't be a minute.

0:26:380:26:39

There are still two cats that Helen and Leanne need to find.

0:26:420:26:46

In the meantime, Thomas is left to reflect on what's best for his pets,

0:26:460:26:50

but can he bear to let his companions go.

0:26:500:26:54

Later...

0:26:570:26:58

a tough decision for Thomas, as Helen and Leanne round up his remaining flatmates.

0:26:580:27:04

Good boy. In.

0:27:040:27:07

That is one wild cat.

0:27:070:27:10

I'm back in the village of Boulby and last time, I was with the RSPCA following up reports

0:27:130:27:20

of greyhounds being mistreated, but when we arrived at this house, it was quite the reverse...

0:27:200:27:26

owners that were very caring and dogs that were not only contented

0:27:260:27:30

but extremely fit and now, it's race day.

0:27:300:27:34

It's certainly a dog's life here, home of eight racing thoroughbreds, living in immaculate conditions.

0:27:370:27:43

Today, I'm helping their owner Paul, whose five-year hobby has become his passion.

0:27:430:27:49

You must be Paul. I'm Tom. Very nice to meet you.

0:27:490:27:52

-The big day, a kind of a bit of pressure day for you.

-It is. It is.

0:27:520:27:56

It gets you a little bit dizzy at times, especially with having all the others to care for before you go.

0:27:560:28:01

Is there a lot about kind of how you handle them in

0:28:010:28:04

those last hours up to the race that kind of gets them in the right mood?

0:28:040:28:07

Yes. Yes. That's what the grooming comes in for. You tense them up.

0:28:070:28:12

Groom them to get them tense...

0:28:120:28:14

excited, that they know they're going to go somewhere and they're going to have to perform.

0:28:140:28:19

Right. know the grooming, something's coming up.

0:28:190:28:23

They're really, really excited. They know they're going somewhere.

0:28:230:28:27

Well, what can I help you with? Can I get my hands dirty with something?

0:28:270:28:30

You can certainly get them wet cos one of the things that we do is we give them a Jacuzzi bath.

0:28:300:28:35

Wow!

0:28:350:28:36

-It's fitness inducing and it relaxes them, as well.

-I've got to see this!

0:28:360:28:40

And first up for the five-star treatment is Mal. Hello.

0:28:400:28:44

You're absolutely gorgeous.

0:28:440:28:47

When I think about greyhounds, I always think they're racing and they're going to be

0:28:470:28:50

-rather kind of skittish, they're going to be rather nervous, but he's incredibly placid.

-They are.

0:28:500:28:56

They race flat out for 30 seconds and they'll sleep the rest...

0:28:560:29:00

If you let them.

0:29:000:29:02

But Mal won't be sleeping this morning.

0:29:020:29:04

He's about to practise his doggy paddle in Paul's purpose-built health spa.

0:29:040:29:10

Now, last time I came, this was just a shell. Look at it now.

0:29:100:29:13

A regular doggy fitness boutique you've got going here.

0:29:130:29:16

Yeah. Well, I've bought a few bits and bobs.

0:29:160:29:18

I thought I might as well put them somewhere nice.

0:29:180:29:22

You give them nice sash windows and everything.

0:29:220:29:25

Well, it does pay to be in the joinery game.

0:29:250:29:27

Inside, the Jacuzzi has been filled and after taking the necessary precautions,

0:29:270:29:32

Paul checks the temperature and Mal takes the plunge.

0:29:320:29:36

There we go.

0:29:380:29:41

-He likes this, does Mal.

-And he likes it even more when the bubbles start.

0:29:410:29:45

So what does this actually do to help the dogs win races, then?

0:29:470:29:52

It tones them. It exercises them.

0:29:520:29:56

And also, it assists in repairing injuries, bruising, takes bruising out.

0:29:560:30:03

As well as being a very relaxing tonic!

0:30:030:30:05

It relaxes them. Yeah. Relaxes them.

0:30:050:30:08

-There we go. Time's up.

-Yeah.

0:30:080:30:10

Turn it off.

0:30:100:30:12

This is where we get wet.

0:30:120:30:14

Bit heavier now, carrying a bit of water.

0:30:180:30:21

Soak over, we give him a quick rub down.

0:30:220:30:26

And as Mal's not competing today, it's back to bed to get his head down, again.

0:30:260:30:30

But racing later is Paul's champion sprinter, three year old Polly.

0:30:300:30:35

Baths are banned on race day but she's due some star treatment.

0:30:350:30:39

-She's so slender and elegant.

-She is, isn't she?

0:30:400:30:44

She's a little beauty.

0:30:440:30:46

The bubbles help to stimulate blood flow.

0:30:480:30:52

Get her blood coursing through her veins.

0:30:520:30:55

And the other side?

0:30:570:30:58

And the other side...

0:30:580:31:00

just a gentle massage...

0:31:000:31:02

and to pick the hairs up.

0:31:020:31:05

I'm impressed with the way Paul cares for his dogs,

0:31:050:31:08

but I'm now keen to find out whether they get the same level of attention at the race track.

0:31:080:31:13

Meadow Court Stadium, Doncaster, and Polly's ready for the off.

0:31:180:31:23

The welfare of racing greyhounds has been heavily criticised,

0:31:230:31:27

but at Doncaster, it seems to be taken very seriously.

0:31:270:31:31

Helen Smiley is the resident vet and is on hand to ensure that

0:31:310:31:34

every one of the 90 athletes are fit and healthy.

0:31:340:31:39

So what do you look for?

0:31:390:31:41

OK. So first time I'm looking at the whole dog for

0:31:410:31:44

general health and condition, so we can see she's got a lovely shiny coat, she's well muscled.

0:31:440:31:49

Then I'm going to start at the head so I'm first looking at her eye.

0:31:490:31:54

You can tell a lot about a dog's health from the eye.

0:31:540:31:56

We're looking for a nice bright, shiny eye.

0:31:560:31:59

Next, I'm going to look at the legs and the feet.

0:31:590:32:02

So, going to start with this near front leg.

0:32:020:32:06

I squeeze the wrist cos it's quite common for greyhounds to get wrist injuries.

0:32:060:32:11

And just a gentle squeeze like that, if they've got an injury, they'll squeak and let you know.

0:32:110:32:15

How's she looking overall?

0:32:150:32:18

-She's looking good.

-Yeah.

-I'm pleased.

0:32:180:32:20

Having passed with flying colours, next it's the weigh-in.

0:32:200:32:25

-22.1.

-Polly's in tiptop condition and can now have a rest before her big moment.

0:32:250:32:31

In the meantime, I join vet Helen for a track inspection.

0:32:310:32:36

So tell me why we've come out here.

0:32:400:32:42

We've come out to check the condition of the track to make sure that it's fit for the dogs to run on.

0:32:420:32:48

-Oh, right.

-It is a welfare issue.

0:32:480:32:51

-What can go wrong?

-Well, if the track's too soft,

0:32:510:32:54

the dogs find it difficult to run on...

0:32:540:32:56

and they can get pulled muscles.

0:32:560:32:59

Normally what I do is

0:32:590:33:01

at one or two points round the track, I test the depth of the sand and it goes in just over an inch.

0:33:010:33:08

-Is that good?

-It's just right. Yes.

0:33:080:33:11

After seeing the lengths Helen goes to to make sure it's safe for these dogs,

0:33:110:33:15

I'm curious to know what she thinks about the sport's bad reputation.

0:33:150:33:19

People outside who don't know about greyhound racing maybe

0:33:190:33:22

still have the opinion that's perhaps a bit out of date.

0:33:220:33:25

They're associated with a lot of punishment for the dogs,

0:33:250:33:28

a fairly unpleasant future for them when they've finished racing. Do you think that's not warranted any more?

0:33:280:33:33

I do think that's unjustified now.

0:33:330:33:36

Some people say that it's cruel but I think in a lot of cases,

0:33:360:33:40

racing greyhounds are better looked after than pet dogs.

0:33:400:33:43

They're kept in really superb condition.

0:33:430:33:46

I don't think it's hard on the dogs.

0:33:460:33:48

The dogs really enjoy the racing.

0:33:480:33:50

And with Helen's standards met, racing can begin.

0:33:510:33:55

It's almost time for Polly's big moment.

0:33:580:34:01

-Our call, is it?

-That's our call. Are you going to get that rabbit for me in a minute?

0:34:110:34:16

After Paul's five-star treatment, Polly's raring to go.

0:34:160:34:20

She'll sprint 480 metres, reaching speeds of almost 40 mph.

0:34:200:34:25

Well, there goes Polly into trap two.

0:34:250:34:27

I think she's the favourite for this race, so with a bit of luck, Paul...

0:34:270:34:30

Fingers crossed.

0:34:300:34:32

And they're off!

0:34:340:34:36

Come on, Polly!

0:34:390:34:41

Come on, Polly. Go on.

0:34:410:34:43

-Second?

-Yeah.

-Second.

0:34:510:34:54

But although first place may have eluded Polly, she smashed her own record and Paul's delighted.

0:34:540:35:01

She ran her time. She ran as fast as she could run.

0:35:010:35:04

The time was 30.20 and the fastest time was about 30.30, just lately.

0:35:040:35:09

-Right.

-She's running equivalent to that.

0:35:090:35:12

A personal best for her.

0:35:120:35:14

Just today, the opposition was that much better.

0:35:140:35:16

Just a little bit better. Yeah.

0:35:160:35:19

The RSPCA do still come across cases of abuse, but here at least, that's certainly not the case.

0:35:190:35:26

I think I've won greater respect for the sport of greyhound racing.

0:35:260:35:30

In my ignorance, I was a bit suspicious of the way they handled and treated their dogs but from

0:35:300:35:34

what I've seen here, and what I've seen at Paul's house, I've no doubt they're very well cared for.

0:35:340:35:40

Finally, we're back in Scarborough, to the filthy flat that's home to three cats.

0:35:450:35:51

Their owner admits he's struggling to care for his pets as he battles with a drink problem.

0:35:510:35:56

His animals are locked in his house day and night but he's

0:35:560:35:59

rarely at home and this has left his cats almost feral.

0:35:590:36:04

Helen's trying to round up the cats to get them checked by a vet.

0:36:040:36:08

She's also hoping Thomas will sign them over, but can he bear to let them go?

0:36:080:36:14

In Scarborough, Thomas is still trying to decide whether saying

0:36:180:36:21

goodbye to his companions is the kindest thing to do.

0:36:210:36:25

Inside his flat, Leanne and Helen are struggling to catch the two remaining cats, Sam and Felix.

0:36:250:36:31

Let me get round this end and then its natural instincts will be to run away from you.

0:36:310:36:35

They're refusing to budge out of their hiding place inside this old settee.

0:36:350:36:40

So some gentle persuasion is required.

0:36:400:36:42

-I hope I don't break the floor.

-You're going to break the legs!

0:36:450:36:50

Oh, one's come out there.

0:36:500:36:53

One of the cats makes a dash for it.

0:36:530:36:55

He's there behind you.

0:36:550:36:58

-Have you cornered him?

-And it's Sam, by far the wildest of the bunch,

0:36:580:37:02

-Slightly crazy.

-He escapes into the bedroom but his attempts to hide under the covers don't fool Leanne.

0:37:040:37:10

I've got him, Helen.

0:37:100:37:12

Right.

0:37:120:37:14

Good boy. Good boy.

0:37:170:37:18

Basket on the floor.

0:37:180:37:20

Good boy. In.

0:37:200:37:23

-Good lad.

-He's in.

-Yeah.

0:37:230:37:25

That is one wild cat.

0:37:280:37:29

With Sam finally restrained, Helen gets a chance to check him over.

0:37:290:37:34

He looks again in OK bodily condition.

0:37:340:37:38

He's acting the way I would expect a cat in this environment to act like, really.

0:37:380:37:42

I think I'd be more worried if he was not showing any signs of fight. He's feisty.

0:37:420:37:47

He's got a lot of energy and he's using his instincts.

0:37:470:37:50

He just wants to, basically, get away from us.

0:37:500:37:53

As does the third and final cat, Felix.

0:37:530:37:57

There we are.

0:37:570:37:59

Once shaken free from his hiding place, he's quickly cornered.

0:37:590:38:03

He looks all right, as well. All right, darling. All right.

0:38:030:38:06

CAT MEOWS I know, darling.

0:38:060:38:08

I've got him, Leanne. Do you want to come over with the basket?

0:38:080:38:12

-And after a bit of a fight, he, too, is in the basket.

-Good boy.

0:38:120:38:17

With all three cats caught, Helen and Leanne can now get them to the vet.

0:38:170:38:21

For Thomas, he's come to a heartbreaking decision about what's best for his pets.

0:38:210:38:27

I'd rather them gone now.

0:38:270:38:30

-If they can't be looked after, aye.

-What, all three of them?

0:38:300:38:34

All three of them. If it's going to better them all.

0:38:340:38:37

I wouldn't stop them.

0:38:370:38:39

Don't get me wrong, I'll miss them.

0:38:390:38:40

Of course you would. Yeah. They're your pets, aren't they, your companions.

0:38:400:38:44

I call them my bairns.

0:38:440:38:46

All right, chick.

0:38:460:38:49

I'm glad that he's been quite selfless, really and

0:38:510:38:54

said that they would be better off not being in this property any more.

0:38:540:38:58

I think he realises that he needs time to sort himself out and obviously, like I say, he's not

0:38:580:39:03

in very often and it's not fair on cats having sporadic feeding patterns, you know.

0:39:030:39:07

They're quite routine animals so it'll do them good getting in a clean environment where

0:39:070:39:12

they can use a litter tray, and then hopefully get re-homed.

0:39:120:39:17

Thomas knows that letting his pets go is the kindest thing to do.

0:39:170:39:20

But he's clearly going to miss his old flatmates.

0:39:200:39:26

Thank you and I'll just sign at the bottom, here.

0:39:260:39:29

And like I said, we'll take them to the animal home now.

0:39:290:39:32

All right.

0:39:320:39:34

You've done a really selfless thing, there,

0:39:340:39:36

by giving them a new life.

0:39:360:39:39

-Are you all right?

-Yeah. I'll be all right...

0:39:390:39:42

after another two dozen bottles.

0:39:420:39:44

With Thomas left all alone, Sam, Felix and Tigger are on their way to a new life.

0:39:440:39:49

They now need to spend time getting used to human contact, to give them a chance of finding a new family.

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Helen takes them to the local vets' surgery where they'll get the care and attention they need.

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They've calmed down a lot.

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In the house, you saw they were running around everywhere.

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They're not scratching at the cage or anything, so to see animals in that environment

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that we saw them in this afternoon, to now seeing them with a comfy bed, they've got a litter tray,

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they've got fresh water, food and they're all together. They've all made themselves quite comfy...

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Those two at the back are used to living together

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cos they're kind of protecting each other which is nice to see.

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So, yeah, it's been a good result all round.

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A few weeks later, and only two cats remain at the vets' surgery.

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Felix and Tigger are making excellent progress, becoming more accustomed to human contact.

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Michelle Moore has been in charge of their care and is delighted with their progress.

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When they first came in, they used to be shooting about in the kennel and completely unhandleable.

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And we had to sedate them just to examine them,

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so you can imagine how stressful it was.

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And they have really, really come on in leaps and bounds since they came in.

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Happy in each other's company, it's important they're allowed to face the future as a pair.

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We'd like them to go together, if that's possible.

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I think if they get the right home then they'll end up being perfectly normal cats.

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Hopefully, that's what we'll achieve and they'll be lucky enough to find

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a home that will take them on and give them that love that they need,

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cos you deserve it, don't you?

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after such a horrible start.

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Although Tigger and Felix are now happy around people, for the third cat Sam, it's a different story.

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Unfortunately, his wild ways couldn't be tamed

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so there was no way he could ever be re-homed as a family pet...

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but all was not lost.

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He's now in his element with plenty of places to hide.

0:42:000:42:04

Sam's enjoying life as a resident rat catcher on a Yorkshire farm.

0:42:040:42:08

If you think you know of a case of wildlife crime, or a creature that needs immediate protection,

0:42:130:42:19

remember, there are dedicated professionals out there who will answer your call around the clock.

0:42:190:42:25

They are the people we meet on Animal 24/7.

0:42:250:42:29

Next time, the dog shut in a cage for being too lively.

0:42:320:42:36

There's very few people who realise the amount of time you have to put in with a springer spaniel.

0:42:360:42:42

A search for the truth with this pet owner.

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Can you please, just be honest with me?

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-Has the dog received flea treatment?

-He has.

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-Has the dog been to the vet?

-Yes.

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And I have to watch my step while searching for some of Britain's rarest chicks.

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You can see how amazingly camouflaged they are with the sand.

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So terrifying!

0:43:010:43:02

Subtitles by Red Bee Media

0:43:080:43:11

E-mail [email protected]

0:43:110:43:15

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