Episode 17 Animal 24:7


Episode 17

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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

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trying 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,

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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,

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Animal 24:7 is with the people working around the clock

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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 -

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DOG GROWLS

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Bronx, stop it!

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A family pet or a threat to the public?

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On the road with the dangerous dog team.

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Thank you very much, gents.

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A powerful dog.

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At the mobile vet clinic, Oddball shows he's fighting fit.

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Whoa! Oh, feisty!

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Now we're seeing what she can do.

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And motherly love - playing surrogate mum to some tiny orphans.

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He's very good, actually.

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He doesn't cry, hardly.

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Perfect baby.

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Now, if people want to own a dangerous or aggressive dog,

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they have to follow the strictest of rules.

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In London, a specialist squad called BARK, Brent Action for

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Responsible K9s, has been set up to monitor these owners.

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As well as ensuring people abide by the rules,

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they also crack down on those who mistreat their pets.

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But all too often, they end up working with people who continually

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flout the law and fail to give their animals the care

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and attention they need.

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8am, Wembley, and the BARK unit has gathered at their HQ.

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The team is preparing to mount a raid to seize a dangerous dog.

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PC Simon Underwood briefs the officers.

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Good morning, everybody.

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Welcome to today's BARK patrol.

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The first item on the agenda this morning is we're going to have to go

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and execute a warrant under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

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This raid concerns a pit bull called Bronx.

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His owner's been warned that if he wants to keep the dog, he has to be castrated and muzzled in public.

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But the orders have been ignored, so now Bronx is going to be taken away.

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It's running all around the communal areas. It's defecating in the stairwells.

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The intention this morning is to enter the premises.

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This is a compulsory borough to wear body armour.

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PC Underwood is supported by RSPCA's chief Jan Eachus,

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Angela Marousy from Brent council, Claire Harper from the Mayhew Animal Home

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and police dog handlers, who can't be identified because of the sensitive nature of their job.

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This chap has left us with little choice but to go and seize the dog for a court to make a decision,

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because we can't have him jumping all over residents.

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We now know it's the type commonly known as a pit bull terrier,

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so bear that in mind.

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Pit bulls can't be re-homed,

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so they're only seized as a last resort.

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But all previous attempts to get the owner to act responsibly have failed and the public safety is at risk.

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The dog's a very active one. He's allowing it out without a lead,

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without a muzzle, doesn't really have control over it.

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It's a real possibility to a danger to other dogs and other cats that live in the neighbourhood.

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But it really is a sad state of affairs.

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It's not something that anybody really is going to relish.

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It's also reported the owner may be over disciplining his pet.

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The team move into position.

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The officers suspect the dog is a pit bull terrier.

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Seizing it is a dangerous job. Despite many years of experience,

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veteran dog handler Jan is never complacent.

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There's always a possibility of somebody getting bit.

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These dogs can be...

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They can be very nice. He was nice last time.

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But for any number of reasons,

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the dog might decide this time that he's not happy with it.

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So I never go in without being nervous. Never.

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This is an unpredictable scenario, so the team's safety is crucial.

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Jan will also ensure that it's as humane as possible for the dog.

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The team's first job is to see if anyone's at home.

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KNOCKS ON DOOR

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It's the police. Can you come and open the door, please?

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With no answer, Simon heads outside to check the windows for signs of movement.

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I just think that there may be somebody in, because all the curtains are still closed.

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Do you know if anybody's in?

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For several weeks now, Bronx has been terrorising this tower block,

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running amok in the communal areas.

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I've been banging on all the windows. The dog's not coming to the window,

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so I'm presuming he's just in the hallway bit here.

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-That's where, his bed is just there.

-Where is that door?

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Bronx is standing just behind the door.

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Now the team must break in to get him, but they need to be on their guard.

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Right, move out the way.

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This dog could attack.

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Simon tries to keep him calm.

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Good boy, Bronx.

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Obstruction removed, Jan and Simon cautiously enter.

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Good boy. That's a good boy.

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Good boy, Bronx. Good boy.

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Bronx seems calm and is easily caught, but this is a powerful dog,

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so the team have to be cautious.

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He's quickly led out using graspers,

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but then Bronx becomes spooked and makes a frenzied attempt to escape.

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DOG YELPS

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Good boy. Good boy.

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With a dog of this strength and size, it takes two handlers to finally restrain him.

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Bronx, stop it.

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Here, come on. Come on!

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Don't be silly. Good dog.

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You're all right. Good boy. Good lad.

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Jan manages to settle him, but is keen to get him to the van as quickly as possible.

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Bronx is finally calming down after his ordeal, but the team was given no alternative.

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Thank you very much, gents.

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Powerful dog.

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If we take a dog out on a lead, and it is quiet possible we could have,

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but what happens if coming out the door, the dog decided that he didn't like what was happening?

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We'd have absolutely no control over a strange dog, then we would have had an even more serious situation.

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So momentarily, yes, the dog was probably terrified.

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I feel upset about it. I always do, every time this situation happens, but that's part of my duties.

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The only thing I can do is to make sure, under the circumstances, that

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we treat the dog as humanely as we possibly can under the circumstances.

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Bronx is taken to kennels at a secret location.

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He won't be allowed back home unless his owner proves he can look after him properly.

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Later...

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DOG BARKS

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..the team come face to face with Rocky, another dog who's not being kept under control.

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With owning a dog comes great responsibility, and none of this is Rocky's fault.

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'And what will the future hold for Oscar, a little boy's much-loved hamster?'

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-It's a bit of a worry.

-Yeah. He were giving him a kiss and a cuddle this morning,

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and thinking that he wasn't coming back, but...

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In springtime, as the animal population explodes,

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the UK's rescue centres are inundated with orphaned babies.

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Hand-rearing newborns and infants is a demanding and time-consuming job.

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And for those who play the part of surrogate mum, it's often hard not to get attached.

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Secret World wildlife rescue centre in Somerset has

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been taking in sick and injured animals for more than 20 years.

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Over 1,000 orphans that would otherwise

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have died have been fostered by founder Pauline Kinder and her team.

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It's always lovely having babies coming in in the spring and to eventually see them go.

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I expect that's part of the privilege of our job really,

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which is why so many of us really enjoy doing it.

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Pauline's kitchen doubles as a maternity ward.

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Today, volunteers Michelle and Rachel are preparing breakfast for their latest delivery.

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A litter of three-week-old grey squirrels

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-were abandoned by their mother after their nest was destroyed.

-Have to see which one's which.

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The girls will now become their surrogate mothers and take responsibility

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for all the kittens' needs, from bottles to bathing and even burping.

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Because they've got their eyes closed, they need a lot of intensive care, frequent feeds,

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which is why we've split the two, so that there's two carers with two babies each, because

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as much as possible we want that one carer to look after the babies.

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It's interesting just watching them here, sat at the table,

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how each girl is holding their syringe a different way.

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They're feeding the baby the way that's most comfortable for them.

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It shows you how important it is if that baby gets to know one routine

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that isn't going to change and, therefore, they're going to do a lot better.

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At this young age, the four siblings all look remarkably similar,

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so to help her distinguish them,

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Michelle has marked her pair with white paint.

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Once their eyes open, they'll start showing an interest in solid food.

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And once they're actually weaned, then these will be taken off both Rachel and Michelle

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and put together in an aviary, where they've got each other for company.

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Then there will be no need for human contact.

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As long as they've got space, that happens quite quickly.

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KITTEN SQUEAKS

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Yeah, you want to take him back, because he's worried now.

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Under Pauline's guidance, Michelle and Rachel are taking their roles very seriously.

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Left in the wild, the kittens would have perished.

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I like the experience,

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feeling that you're making a difference in their life

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because they've lost their mum, feeling like a mum to them.

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You get kind of protective over them, as well.

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So, loud noises, you're like, "Be quiet!"

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But, you know, you're not exactly their mum.

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-But in a way, you are.

-But a mother's work is never done,

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as our first-time foster parents have quickly had to learn.

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I feed them every three hours.

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I also do them at midnight, just before I go to bed, just to make

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sure they've got enough milk in them to last them throughout the night.

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Then I get up at six and feed them just before I go and have my breakfast.

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It's surprising with a lot of our young girls that when they have some wildlife babies to look after,

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it's a good lesson as to what it'll be like to have a real baby, when you realise,

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"Oh, I've still got to feed them when I get back from the pub."

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There's still a long way to go before the kittens will fend for themselves in the wild.

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But for now, with a full tummy, they're out like a light, and they don't even need a bedtime story.

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Over in Secret World's downstairs kitchen, another animal angel,

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Marie Denston, is tending to her own bundle of fluff.

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This is a little fox cub called Flint,

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and he was found in a field on his own by a dog walker.

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He's roughly seven to eight days old.

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His eyes are just beginning to open.

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And I'm toileting him now.

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His mother would lick him to toilet him.

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To tell them apart, you can just about see the little white tip on his tail.

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He's a very good feeder, once he's latched on to the milk.

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Once Flint is weaned, he'll be moved to an outside enclosure

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with other orphaned cubs. Marie will then have to cut the apron strings,

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so he learns how to live in the wild.

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Oh!

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Before that, Marie and Flint can enjoy the close contact this week-old orphan so needs.

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CUB WHIMPERS

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He's very good, actually. He doesn't cry, hardly.

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Even when he's hungry.

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Perfect baby.

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-But after tending to Flint's every whim...

-Oh, have you had enough?

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..it's going to be a wrench when the day comes for Marie to say goodbye.

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It is hard, but as soon as you've let go of one, another one comes in.

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And it's nice to know they're going back to the wild, where they belong.

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But until then, Marie's going to savour every single moment.

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Come on, you, back to bed.

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Still to come -

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a grown-up Flint is ready to go and shows little gratitude

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to his surrogate mum.

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Wasn't very tame then.

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He tried to bite me.

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And is Rocky's owner failing his pet?

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Have you rung the number to get a proper muzzle?

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You have done?

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You haven't ordered one yet, though.

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Making sure an animal stays healthy is the pet owner's key responsibility,

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but people often fear a trip to the vet's will be expensive, or it's inconvenient, so they put it off.

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Well, here in Lancashire, they've got a solution.

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If you won't go to the vet...

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-..the vet will come to you.

-Are you next?

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The RSPCA mobile vet service has arrived in a pub car park near Bury, Greater Manchester.

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By bringing the vet's into the community, it hoped that those people

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with difficulty travelling or paying commercial vets' bills will come along to get their animals treated.

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It's 8:30am,

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and there are already customers waiting to see vet Rachel Heaton.

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We'll check then. We'll give her some flea treatment,

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because even though I can't actually see any evidence of fleas on her,

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it doesn't mean she doesn't have them, OK?

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Outside, my eye is immediately drawn to this space-age des res.

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The hamster inside certainly looks full of life, but Emma has good reason for bringing him along.

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Well, basically, about six weeks ago my little boy noticed a little lump coming out of his ear,

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so I just took him straight to the vet's, and he said he's got a tumour in both ears,

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and he removed them then.

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So why have you brought him back in today?

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It's his left ear. It's grown back.

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I've seen it start growing, so...

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-That's a bit of a worry.

-Yeah.

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Did you say it belonged to your little boy?

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-Yeah.

-And is he concerned about it?

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He is, very. Very.

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He were giving him a kiss and a cuddle this morning,

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thinking that he wasn't coming back.

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Oscar's a much-loved child's pet.

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I'm hoping the vets can give Emma some good news.

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-So he had one removed from each ear?

-Yeah.

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From inside his ear?

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Right inside. One was in this ear. I know definitely one's in that ear.

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Right, so this is the ear that's got the tumour poking out.

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You can see that pink, fleshy tumour poking out of the ear canal there.

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It's like a sort of pink berry in there, isn't it?

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Exactly. Right, we have a couple of options here.

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We could try and remove it again.

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That was really the only kind of way we can go with treatment.

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We could leave it and see how he goes with no treatment whatsoever, but there will come a point

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where it grows to a size where you're going to have to think about having him put to sleep, really.

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Or if you don't want to go on with any treatment and you think

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it's bothering him a lot, the only other option, really, is to put him to sleep today.

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Emma's now faced with a tough decision on what to do with her son's pet.

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So it's completely up to you, really.

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Do you think it's bothering him?

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I would say at the moment, no, but the last time he got it, it started to bleed.

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When I took him on the Friday, I'd say he'd had it about a week.

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It started to bleed then and start bothering him,

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so it was only a matter of a couple of days that it started to.

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OK. So if you want us to have a go at removing it, we can do that.

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But there's no guarantee it won't come back again, because it's already come back once.

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The other ear looks OK, so it looks like that might have been a bit more successful.

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But the chances are it might come back again even if we do remove it.

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But it's a tricky decision, because he seems, Oscar, isn't it? So lively.

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We've seen him zooming round in his wheel, and he seems very healthy and happy at the moment.

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Although he looks healthy, there's no way of knowing if Oscar is in pain.

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But Emma decides to give her son's pet one final chance to pull through.

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I think 100% I'll try and get it removed for the last time.

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I think this'll be the last effort, and then if it came back, then definitely think about...

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-..putting him to sleep.

-Yeah. I don't want to keep putting him through that.

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It's not fair.

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Thankfully, that's a reprieve for Oscar.

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He'll be going to hospital to have the tumour removed.

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-Bye.

-Bye.

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Next on the vet's table is Oddball, a cute bundle of fur in need of her first examination.

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But this cat is proof that appearances can be deceptive.

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Is she going to be a good patient?

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-Hopefully, yeah.

-Hopefully?

-Hopefully. She's quite feisty.

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Because we've got another cat at home who's about six years old,

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and she fights with it, and she just seems to want to be playing all the time.

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But hopefully, that's just a kitten thing she'll grow out of.

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Right. Does she scratch a little bit to get attention?

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Definitely, yeah, and she bites you. I'm covered in scratches.

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-All of us are.

-She's so sweet!

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There's nothing wrong with Oddball. She's 12 weeks old, and Diane is hoping

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she can get all her immunisation and flea treatment done today.

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That's great. Any problems with her?

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She's very feisty. She bites and she's scratching, but I just thought it was a kitten thing.

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It is a kitten thing,

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-and it's a torty thing.

-Oh, right, yeah.

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They tend to be quite highly strung, this colour of cat.

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Kittens' claws are really, really sharp,

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so it always feels ten times worse when you're scratched by a kitten.

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-She should grow out of it.

-OK.

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If she bites you, you need to say, "No," and you need to put her out of the room for a little while. OK?

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Did you say that it was this type of cat, this colouring, that can be a little more...

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Tortoiseshells, yeah.

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There's no proof of that, but not more aggressive,

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but can be more feisty and fiery.

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We tend to find that. We have so many cats that come through our doors at the RSPCA, and the tortoiseshells

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-are always the ones that are the most feisty and fiery.

-A bit troublesome.

0:20:100:20:14

I'm just going to have a little listen to her heart, OK? She's purring a lot.

0:20:140:20:18

So far, Oddball is playing ball, so Rachel gets down to business.

0:20:180:20:23

-OK.

-Seems good as gold at the moment.

-I know!

0:20:230:20:27

OK, well, she seems fine to me.

0:20:270:20:28

-She's in good health.

-OK.

-So we can give her her first vaccination today.

0:20:280:20:33

-Right.

-She needs another one in three weeks' time, OK?

-Yeah.

0:20:330:20:37

-And we'll also give her some flea and worming treatment.

-OK.

0:20:370:20:40

Given Oddball's reputation, experienced assistant Mandy is called in to pin her down.

0:20:420:20:48

CAT SCREECHES

0:20:480:20:50

-Whoa!

-This feline is getting wound up.

0:20:500:20:53

Mandy offers comfort, but Oddball spots an opportunity for revenge.

0:20:530:20:57

-Whoa! Now we're seeing what she can do!

-OK, do you want to just put her

0:20:570:21:01

back on the table and we'll put this flea treatment on?

0:21:010:21:03

-OK, if you avoid touching this area for the next couple of hours...

-OK.

0:21:030:21:08

So that's one ordeal over for Oddball. Fit, healthy and protected against disease.

0:21:090:21:15

Just don't go within range of that right hook.

0:21:150:21:18

Still to come, Flint the orphaned fox cub has come of age.

0:21:250:21:30

All right, Flinty, this is your moment.

0:21:300:21:32

How will he take to life in the wild?

0:21:320:21:36

In time, he'll find himself a mate

0:21:360:21:40

and there'll be little Flints running around.

0:21:400:21:44

Now we're back to north-west London and the BARK project.

0:21:470:21:51

The unit aim to crack down on irresponsible owners of so-called

0:21:510:21:55

dangerous dogs, working to educate those who mistreat their animals.

0:21:550:22:00

But they also target people who fail to keep their pets in check.

0:22:000:22:05

We rejoin them as they're about to deal with another

0:22:050:22:08

threatening animal, Rocky, a Rottweiler out of control.

0:22:080:22:12

-Angela, do we know if it's going to be on the left or the right?

-Turn down here.

0:22:210:22:25

PC Simon Underwood and the rest of the BARK team are on their way to

0:22:250:22:28

see an owner who appeared in court six weeks ago after his Rottweiler, Rocky, bit a member of the public.

0:22:280:22:34

DOG BARKS

0:22:340:22:36

Rocky has a history of aggression towards strangers,

0:22:360:22:39

so RSPCA chief inspector Jan Eachus is taking the necessary precautions.

0:22:390:22:44

The padded arm is just to give some protection.

0:22:440:22:47

I wouldn't normally take it with me, but I know what the dog is like.

0:22:470:22:52

It's because he hasn't been socialised or had any training input,

0:22:520:22:55

which is a shame, because he's now at a size where he's almost uncontrollable.

0:22:550:22:59

And he's very territorial. Although it's been castrated, it's not taken that much effect yet.

0:22:590:23:04

Following Rocky's recent attack, the court ruled that the owner

0:23:040:23:08

could only keep him if certain conditions were met.

0:23:080:23:11

Rocky must be muzzled in public, attend training classes and undergo behaviour therapy.

0:23:140:23:20

Hello. Sorry to disturb you.

0:23:200:23:23

It's nothing to worry about.

0:23:230:23:25

We're from the BARK project.

0:23:250:23:27

-Do you remember your son went to court...

-Yeah.

0:23:270:23:29

..about Rocky because of what happened when he ran out the gate?

0:23:290:23:33

Rocky's very dangerous.

0:23:330:23:36

-Sorry, what did you say? "Rocky's very dangerous"?

-No, in case somebody come in here...

0:23:360:23:41

Yeah, OK. Would you mind just locking the door?

0:23:410:23:43

Because last time, he jumped up to try and open it.

0:23:430:23:46

Thank you very much. Thank you.

0:23:460:23:47

Even Mum's saying he's very dangerous.

0:23:470:23:50

She wanted to give us the dog when we came, but the son wanted to go to court.

0:23:500:23:55

The owner's mother lets the team inside so they can observe Rocky

0:23:570:24:01

from the safety of the French windows.

0:24:010:24:03

With strangers in his home, Rocky instinctively goes on the offensive.

0:24:050:24:10

It's instantly clear how threatening this dog can be.

0:24:130:24:16

-Rocky! Rocky!

-Shall we go in the other room?

0:24:160:24:21

Obviously, Rocky naturally is going to want to defend his territory.

0:24:210:24:26

-He's getting a bit wound up. We're out of sight and it won't upset him.

-Good boy, Rocky.

0:24:260:24:30

-Good boy.

-Rocky...

0:24:300:24:32

Simon now wants to talk to the owner to find out if the court's orders have been followed.

0:24:320:24:37

OK, are you able to get your son on the phone so I can speak with him, please?

0:24:370:24:41

He's busy at the moment.

0:24:410:24:43

Madam, I need to speak to your son.

0:24:430:24:45

-Yeah.

-I appreciate that he's busy.

0:24:450:24:48

-I know we've all got to go to work, but this is an order from the court.

-Yeah, OK.

0:24:480:24:54

And it has to be dealt with.

0:24:540:24:56

It's not something that can be put off indefinitely.

0:24:560:25:00

With Rocky's owner contacted, Jan leads the questioning.

0:25:000:25:05

Hello, sir. This is the chief inspector that was around to see you before.

0:25:050:25:10

Now, first question, what training class are you going to?

0:25:100:25:16

So in other words, you're not going to a training class.

0:25:160:25:18

OK. Second question,

0:25:190:25:21

have you had an animal behaviourist around to your house to help you with the dog?

0:25:210:25:27

OK, so no is the answer to that.

0:25:270:25:29

You need to think twice about this question.

0:25:290:25:31

Every time you take the dog out, it's on a muzzle?

0:25:310:25:34

Has he rung the number I gave him?

0:25:340:25:35

OK. Have you rung the number to get a proper muzzle that the officer gave you?

0:25:350:25:40

You have done?

0:25:410:25:44

You haven't ordered one yet, though?

0:25:440:25:46

I think what will have to happen,

0:25:460:25:49

because these are all reasonable things that a magistrate ordered you to do

0:25:490:25:55

as the owner and so far, you have failed to do them.

0:25:550:25:58

The owner has ignored all the court's orders.

0:26:010:26:03

This is a serious breach of the rules.

0:26:030:26:06

So I will have to go back to the court and then we'll have to go from there.

0:26:060:26:11

Rocky is a family pet, but he can be aggressive.

0:26:110:26:15

By ignoring the courts, his owner is putting his future in doubt.

0:26:150:26:19

He's like a child. He came to the home as a baby.

0:26:190:26:22

-Yeah, I appreciate that, but...

-We don't want to kill him...

0:26:220:26:25

-But with owning a dog comes great responsibility.

-Yeah.

0:26:250:26:29

And none of this is Rocky's fault.

0:26:290:26:31

-Mmm.

-And now Rocky is looking potentially at being put down if the court made that decision.

0:26:310:26:37

Whether the court would agree for somebody to re-home him I don't know, because it's not like we could say

0:26:370:26:42

he's a nice, friendly dog that could be re-homed with an experienced Rottweiler owner.

0:26:420:26:47

-Mmm.

-He's got issues.

-Yeah.

0:26:470:26:50

-He's already bitten somebody, and he's bitten them badly.

-Yeah.

0:26:500:26:53

-We would have to disclose that.

-Mmm.

0:26:530:26:55

We'll leave you in peace. We'll let you know what's happening.

0:26:550:26:58

Coping with such a challenging pet is stressful for the whole family.

0:26:580:27:02

But as Rocky is unlikely to be re-homed,

0:27:020:27:05

his owners are understandably reluctant to give him up.

0:27:050:27:08

Now the magistrate will decide if Rocky can remain in their care.

0:27:080:27:13

Two dogs dealt with, but the day's far from over.

0:27:170:27:20

The law stops people owning certain breeds unless the owner has a licence.

0:27:200:27:25

The team patrol the streets on the lookout for these dogs,

0:27:250:27:28

and it isn't long before they spot a potential suspect.

0:27:280:27:32

-Who's this little one, then?

-Her name's Crystal.

-Hello, Crystal!

0:27:320:27:35

You're a soppy dog, aren't you?

0:27:350:27:36

Jan examines the dog for microchip ID.

0:27:360:27:40

-She's chipped, she's chipped.

-Oh, fab. Brilliant.

0:27:400:27:43

She is chipped, yeah. She is chipped, yeah.

0:27:430:27:45

-What breed is she?

-She's a bull mastiff cross.

0:27:450:27:49

Do you know what she's crossed with?

0:27:490:27:52

A Staff.

0:27:520:27:54

Bull mastiff crosses are not on the list of banned breeds,

0:27:540:27:57

and the team are satisfied that Crystal is good-natured.

0:27:570:28:00

But they are concerned that she may not be in the best of health.

0:28:000:28:03

-She's got grass seeds in her paw. I've got to take her to the vet.

-Do you know how long she's had that?

0:28:030:28:09

Um, she's had it about a couple of weeks.

0:28:090:28:12

It's frustrating that Crystal's owner,

0:28:120:28:15

Julie hasn't taken her to see a vet.

0:28:150:28:17

But she keeps licking them.

0:28:170:28:20

But otherwise, she seems a happy and friendly dog.

0:28:200:28:23

It's being managed and controlled properly.

0:28:230:28:26

It's microchipped, so that's someone who's being very responsible.

0:28:260:28:30

I've asked the animal welfare officer to mention to the owner

0:28:300:28:33

that when we're on a public highway,

0:28:330:28:35

regardless if it's microchipped,

0:28:350:28:38

it still needs a tag bearing the owner's name and address.

0:28:380:28:41

Not everybody has a scanner to read a microchip.

0:28:410:28:44

But if it has a tag on it, well, then somebody could perhaps return the dog very quickly to the owner.

0:28:440:28:49

-She's got to wear the little tag.

-Yeah, attached to her collar, whenever she's in a public place.

0:28:490:28:54

-And there is quite a fine.

-Oh, really? OK.

0:28:540:28:57

So get that done as soon as possible.

0:28:570:28:59

Julie is told she has to get Crystal to a vet and she must get her a proper name tag.

0:28:590:29:05

The team will visit her home in a few weeks to check she's followed their advice.

0:29:050:29:10

Later, has an innocent dash to the shops landed this owner in trouble?

0:29:130:29:18

Why is he in the street without a muzzle on?

0:29:180:29:21

I'm sorry. That's all I can say.

0:29:210:29:24

-I'm going to have to report you for the offence.

-OK.

0:29:240:29:27

Earlier, we saw Secret World's volunteers hand-rearing orphaned wild animals.

0:29:300:29:36

Months of feeding, weaning and training lead to one important day - the release.

0:29:360:29:42

But for those who spent weeks nursing them back to health, it's often hard to say goodbye.

0:29:420:29:49

Today is an emotional day for Marie Denston.

0:29:560:29:59

It's been six months since she adopted Flint the orphaned fox cub,

0:29:590:30:03

hand-rearing the tiny baby, who would have perished if left alone.

0:30:030:30:07

Well, this is Flint now...

0:30:070:30:09

..a strapping adolescent,

0:30:130:30:15

and the leader of a pack of five other orphaned cubs.

0:30:150:30:19

The cubs have been living in this secluded pen for four months to develop their wild ways.

0:30:210:30:27

He's looking for somewhere to bury it, look, to hide it from the others.

0:30:270:30:30

Once he was weaned, he was mixed with other foxes of his own age,

0:30:320:30:37

and they were kept in our rehabilitation block

0:30:370:30:41

for five, six weeks, before being moved out into this outside pen.

0:30:410:30:45

Then it's hands-off and as little human contact as possible with them prior to their release.

0:30:450:30:51

They're coming to the stage where foxes would normally disperse,

0:30:510:30:55

the family group would disperse,

0:30:550:30:57

so obviously, it's time to release them now.

0:30:570:31:01

But before she can release him, she's got to catch him.

0:31:030:31:06

So to make it as easy as possible,

0:31:060:31:08

Marie sets about removing his hiding places.

0:31:080:31:12

Get sweating!

0:31:130:31:15

It's so much easier for actually catching Flint,

0:31:170:31:21

because, obviously, if there's great big piles of nettles, he can hide,

0:31:210:31:24

and we're just chasing him from one pile of nettles to the other!

0:31:240:31:28

So it does make it a lot easier and less stressful for him, as well, obviously.

0:31:280:31:32

-But cunning Flint's got ideas of his own.

-There he is.

0:31:320:31:36

When Marie closes in, Flint's pack get well and truly shuffled.

0:31:390:31:43

But she's certainly no novice when it comes to net skills,

0:31:460:31:50

and soon bags one of Flint's pals.

0:31:500:31:53

One. Five to go.

0:31:550:31:58

1-0 for Marie, but Flint's giving her the run-around.

0:31:580:32:01

He can run but, with nowhere left to hide, he's finally caught,

0:32:040:32:08

and shows little appreciation for the motherly love

0:32:080:32:12

Marie once heaped on him.

0:32:120:32:14

Wasn't very tame then. He tried to bite me.

0:32:140:32:16

Now that he's wary of human contact, Flint's clearly frightened.

0:32:210:32:25

We cover the cage over after we've caught them,

0:32:250:32:28

because they're very stressed after running around and being caught.

0:32:280:32:32

So it calms them down, keeps them in the dark and keeps them quiet.

0:32:320:32:37

All six safely boxed, wrapped and packed, they're good to go.

0:32:390:32:43

The foxes are being taken to a 365-acre woodland site.

0:32:450:32:50

They'll be released under the cover of darkness to limit their stress.

0:32:500:32:55

An hour later, Flint and his pack arrive at the release site.

0:32:550:33:00

Their new pad is more than ample stomping ground

0:33:000:33:04

for them to build dens, forage and feed.

0:33:040:33:07

-365 acres?

-Yeah.

0:33:070:33:09

Brilliant. Hear that, Flint?

0:33:090:33:12

Until the foxes get used to their new surroundings,

0:33:120:33:16

volunteers are on hand to give them a head start.

0:33:160:33:19

The food will be put out for a couple of weeks for them,

0:33:190:33:22

and hopefully by then they will have settled in.

0:33:220:33:25

Once we stop feeding them,

0:33:250:33:27

I'm sure he'll find plenty of rabbits and shrews, mice, fruits.

0:33:270:33:34

Yeah, I'm sure he'll be fine.

0:33:360:33:38

Maybe in time, he'll find himself a mate

0:33:380:33:42

and there'll be little Flints running around.

0:33:420:33:47

All right, Flinty, this is your moment.

0:33:470:33:50

As the dominant fox, Flint's going to be the first to break free.

0:33:500:33:54

And after a slow start, he makes a beeline for the food.

0:33:560:34:00

But he's soon distracted by the sights and smells of the wild,

0:34:020:34:07

and heads off to claim his new territory.

0:34:070:34:10

Flint's shortly joined by his companions,

0:34:130:34:16

keen to follow their leader.

0:34:160:34:18

But some are more hesitant and need a bit more encouragement.

0:34:210:34:25

Even a prod can't shift this nervous fellow.

0:34:250:34:28

But after Marie rattles his cage, he makes a dash for freedom.

0:34:290:34:36

It's a bittersweet moment for Marie.

0:34:360:34:38

After months of round-the-clock care, she's sad to see Flint go,

0:34:380:34:43

but she knows he's finally back where he belongs.

0:34:430:34:46

That went really well.

0:34:460:34:47

He's always been the boldest one of the group, actually.

0:34:470:34:50

Yeah, so I think he's a survivor.

0:34:500:34:53

Finally, we're back to northwest London,

0:34:580:35:01

where the BARK project patrols.

0:35:010:35:04

Earlier, the team visited an aggressive Rottweiler called Rocky.

0:35:040:35:08

His owner had to follow some strict rules if he wanted to keep him.

0:35:080:35:13

Sadly, he's decided he can't stick to those rules,

0:35:130:35:16

and has since decided to have his dog put to sleep.

0:35:160:35:19

But they also inspected a Staffie cross called Crystal,

0:35:190:35:23

who had an infected paw and needed to see a vet.

0:35:230:35:26

A welfare officer has since been back to see the dog,

0:35:260:35:30

but they came away worried that the owner was too harsh with her.

0:35:300:35:34

A month later, the patrol are going to visit Crystal, this time at home.

0:35:340:35:39

It's early evening on the streets of northwest London,

0:35:460:35:49

and the BARK squad are on their monthly patrol.

0:35:490:35:52

Which was it? This one?

0:35:520:35:54

The first job of the day is to catch up with Crystal and her owner Julie.

0:35:540:35:58

-Hello, love. It's the RSPCA.

-Hi.

0:36:000:36:02

-I've just come back to do a check on the dog.

-OK, yeah.

-All right?

0:36:020:36:05

Chief inspector Jan Eachus is keen to see if Crystal's paws are healing.

0:36:050:36:09

-She's been on her antibiotics.

-Hello!

0:36:090:36:11

Let me see your paws. Let me see. Let me see.

0:36:140:36:17

Are you putting the treatment on every day?

0:36:170:36:20

Yes. She's having antibiotics twice a day.

0:36:200:36:22

-They've got a lot better, don't you think?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

0:36:220:36:25

Crystal's paws do seem to be much better, but then Jan notices a problem.

0:36:250:36:30

A month ago, he asked Julie to get Crystal a name tag.

0:36:300:36:33

It seems she hasn't done it.

0:36:330:36:36

Where's her tag for when she goes out on the street? Where's her ID tag?

0:36:360:36:41

Oh, I haven't got one.

0:36:410:36:43

If something happens, if she hears a bang and crashes through the gate,

0:36:430:36:47

if she's got a tag on her, somebody will probably find her,

0:36:470:36:50

-because she is a good-natured dog.

-Yeah, she is.

0:36:500:36:53

That's the reason for it.

0:36:530:36:54

And there's another concern.

0:36:540:36:56

Jan wants to investigate the allegation that Julie's been too harsh when disciplining her dog.

0:36:560:37:02

-When my colleague was here...

-Yeah.

0:37:020:37:04

..she was outside.

0:37:040:37:07

I guess they must have knocked on the door.

0:37:070:37:09

-The dog must have went out first.

-OK.

-Wagging her tail, like she does now.

0:37:090:37:13

Yeah, she's very friendly.

0:37:130:37:15

But then you came out and you were screaming at the dog.

0:37:150:37:18

-To get in.

-When she came in, she was virtually crawling on her belly.

0:37:180:37:22

Crawling on her belly? That's a load of lies. That's a load of lies.

0:37:220:37:27

She wasn't virtually crawling on her belly.

0:37:270:37:29

-No, I shouted at her to come in, and obviously she came in.

-OK.

0:37:290:37:33

What I don't want to hear is the dog being over-corrected, OK?

0:37:330:37:37

-OK.

-Because otherwise, if she is over-corrected,

0:37:370:37:40

-then you won't have the dog no more. It can be that serious.

-Mm-hm.

0:37:400:37:43

This is just a friendly warning to you. You need to control your dog,

0:37:430:37:47

I accept that, but there are ways of controlling her.

0:37:470:37:50

-If you call her, she'll probably come to you.

-Yeah.

0:37:500:37:52

And if you give her loads of praise when she comes to you,

0:37:520:37:55

she'll think - better to come to you than to run out in the street.

0:37:550:37:59

So there'll be another inspector stop around in a couple of weeks,

0:37:590:38:02

-just to see how she's getting on.

-OK, that's fine.

0:38:020:38:05

-Please listen to what I say about over-correcting.

-OK.

0:38:050:38:09

-OK, thank you very much.

-Thank you. Bye.

0:38:090:38:11

The team are satisfied that Julie has taken on their advice,

0:38:110:38:14

and leave to continue their patrol.

0:38:140:38:16

On the next street, outside a parade of shops,

0:38:190:38:22

they have another case to deal with.

0:38:220:38:25

Come over here.

0:38:250:38:27

This is not good enough.

0:38:270:38:28

This time, it concerns a dog that's known to them, called Seamus.

0:38:280:38:32

Although pit bulls are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act, some, like Seamus, can be granted exemption.

0:38:320:38:39

But there are conditions that have to be met.

0:38:390:38:41

One is that they must be muzzled when being walked.

0:38:410:38:44

All right, you are aware of the conditions of the exemptive clause?

0:38:440:38:49

You know that he's not allowed in a public place without a muzzle.

0:38:490:38:53

-I apologise.

-You're in breach of the conditions, and I can seize him and take him away.

0:38:530:38:57

We've gone to all the trouble of adding Seamus to the exemptive register.

0:38:570:39:02

He could have been put to sleep.

0:39:020:39:05

I understand that.

0:39:050:39:06

And yet again, I find myself standing in the street trying to explain

0:39:060:39:10

things to you that you've told me before you fully understand.

0:39:100:39:14

-I do fully understand.

-Then why is he in the street without a muzzle on?

0:39:140:39:18

I'm sorry. That's all I can say.

0:39:180:39:21

-I'm going to have to report you for the offence.

-OK.

0:39:210:39:24

I was bringing her out, and I just brought him along for the walk, just to the shop...for two minutes.

0:39:240:39:30

-So you just came out to get...

-..a sweet for the little one.

0:39:300:39:34

..a sweet.

0:39:340:39:37

This seemingly innocent late-night dash to buy sweets for his daughter

0:39:370:39:41

could have serious consequences for both Husain and Seamus.

0:39:410:39:45

I've had him as a pet since he was a baby, so I didn't even know he was a banned dog. So...

0:39:470:39:52

In his defence, this is the first time I've seen Seamus without a muzzle on.

0:39:520:39:57

However, he's now committed an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act,

0:39:570:40:02

and he now risks Seamus being seized and destroyed,

0:40:020:40:07

from what I can understand, simply, at this stage because he said

0:40:070:40:11

he only popped across the road to get something with his daughter.

0:40:110:40:15

You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence

0:40:150:40:17

if you fail to mention now something which you later rely on in court.

0:40:170:40:20

Anything you do say may be given in evidence. You're not under arrest.

0:40:200:40:23

I'm going to make some notes and ask you some questions.

0:40:230:40:26

The BARK team don't want to put dogs down, they want to educate owners so they can keep their pets.

0:40:260:40:32

So, finding those who ignore the rules is extremely frustrating.

0:40:320:40:36

Why is he in the street without a muzzle on?

0:40:360:40:39

-Dad?

-There's no reason.

0:40:390:40:41

Just my stupidity.

0:40:410:40:44

There's no reason, it's just your stupidity? Is that what you want me to write, yeah?

0:40:440:40:49

-That's your answer?

-Yeah.

0:40:490:40:52

By failing to follow a few simple rules, Husain could now lose his family pet.

0:40:520:40:58

It's the type of situation the officers are seeing day in and day out.

0:40:580:41:02

All the owners are asked to do is put her on a lead,

0:41:020:41:05

put her on a collar and wear a muzzle when it's out in the public.

0:41:050:41:10

And it really is very, very disappointing.

0:41:100:41:12

This is now the fourth dog in less than two weeks.

0:41:120:41:15

The owners are just not taking it seriously,

0:41:150:41:17

and this is quite a serious matter.

0:41:170:41:20

I'm not going to seize Seamus on this occasion.

0:41:210:41:24

However, this is going before the court, and I strongly suggest and say to you now

0:41:270:41:33

-that we don't have this scenario again.

-No, no.

0:41:330:41:38

If he's going to come out, it has to be after you've been to the pet shop in the morning...

0:41:380:41:42

-With the muzzle on.

-..or wherever you're going to get the muzzle from, cos he needs to have it on.

0:41:420:41:47

I know. I am sorry, and I promise that it won't happen again.

0:41:470:41:51

If Husain follows the advice, the courts may rule he can keep his pet.

0:41:510:41:56

For the BARK team, it's back on patrol.

0:41:590:42:02

Their work with dangerous dogs on the streets of London goes on.

0:42:020:42:06

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

0:42:110:42:18

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

0:42:180:42:24

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

0:42:240:42:28

-Next time...

-Oh, she's got a really nasty ear there.

0:42:310:42:35

-..two Alsatians on the edge of being taken away...

-If you don't,

0:42:350:42:39

you're going to lose your dogs and you're going to end up in court.

0:42:390:42:42

..an injured swan with a protective mate...

0:42:420:42:45

You're a star. Just watch him! Watch him, watch him, watch him.

0:42:450:42:48

Easy, fella, easy.

0:42:480:42:51

..and Bambi hits the bottle.

0:42:510:42:53

Cor! Down in one, Les! I don't know who he learned that from! He drinks it just like that!

0:42:530:42:59

Is it REAL ale, though? That's the problem.

0:42:590:43:01

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0:43:230:43:26

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0:43:260:43:29

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