0:00:02 > 0:00:07This programme contains some strong language and some scenes which some viewers may find upsetting
0:00:07 > 0:00:11Dogs like these American pit bull terriers have been bred as fighting dogs since the 19th century.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14In Britain, this type of dog has become increasingly popular as a status symbol.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16They can be extremely unpredictable and savage.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20During a 12-month period, over 5,000 people were hospitalised
0:00:20 > 0:00:22after being attacked by dogs.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Some attacks have proved fatal.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Amongst them, John-Paul Massey's.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31We weren't aware of what the dog was capable of.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34That you're basically sharing your life with a wolf.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36They can't be domesticated.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39Despite being banned in 1991,
0:00:39 > 0:00:43the numbers of pit bulls and other fighting dogs continues to rise.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47We follow a police squad trying to stem this growing menace.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53DOG BARKS
0:00:53 > 0:00:58The Dangerous Dog Unit in Birmingham is preparing for a raid.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Today's warrant is in Newtown.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04Recent intelligence suggests that it's being used as a dog-fighting venue.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07The dogs are being identified as any breed or type.
0:01:07 > 0:01:12If suitable, they'll be used for fighting. If not, they'll be used to train the fighting dogs.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16The team has received a tipoff that that there's organised dog fighting taking place
0:01:16 > 0:01:17at a house in the city.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20OK. We'll go straight to the address.
0:01:21 > 0:01:22This is tricky.
0:01:22 > 0:01:27Dog specialist Tony Mills is helping his partner, Keith Evans, into his protective suit.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31The reason we're having to move so fast on this one is because a lot of the evidence
0:01:31 > 0:01:35that could secure a prosecution against them can be easily destroyed.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39Things like drugs,
0:01:39 > 0:01:42medication, that sort of thing.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44That's why we've got to get in quickly.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48When we burst into a house, even if the dogs are human-friendly,
0:01:48 > 0:01:53you've got to bear in mind that they might become protective of their owners.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55That's why you have to dress up like this.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Keep your legs together.
0:01:57 > 0:01:58Let's go.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02Keith is carrying an electric shield that discharges a 40-000-volt shock if touched.
0:02:02 > 0:02:08They also use poles with metal lassos to restrain violent dogs.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14What we don't want to do is open the door and have one loose fighting dog that then breaks free.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17Nine times out of ten they are human-friendly
0:02:17 > 0:02:21but don't forget we're thundering through there.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26We should have stopped round the corner. We've got to move quick.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Jog on, mate.
0:02:32 > 0:02:33POLICE!
0:02:33 > 0:02:35POLICE!
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Stand still! Get back now! Move back!
0:02:38 > 0:02:40Move back now!
0:02:40 > 0:02:42You! Walk to me now!
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Do as you're told! Do you understand me?
0:02:45 > 0:02:46Listen! Be quiet!
0:02:46 > 0:02:51These two in the living room. Get them all together.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53- Right.- Through there. Go on. Through there. Move.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56ALL TALK AT ONCE
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Keep your mouth shut.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03Shield. Don't need the shields on that door. Get rid of them. Officers in.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05Are there any dogs in the premises?
0:03:05 > 0:03:09The occupants deny that any of their dogs are used for fighting.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Can we get the three young males in handcuffs?
0:03:12 > 0:03:16Show us you've got a warrant! Shut up, man!
0:03:16 > 0:03:18We're going to go upstairs and see what we've got.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20Boys, you go up first.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26I'm just trying to locate this dog that I can hear.
0:03:26 > 0:03:32A Great Dane cross. I don't think she's a pure Great Dane, with a litter of puppies.
0:03:32 > 0:03:33MAN WHISTLES
0:03:33 > 0:03:35The puppies look fine, don't they?
0:03:35 > 0:03:39She seems quite a good mum. She's obviously done this before.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42See her face? She's not thin in the face like a Dane.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44It makes me wonder what they've put to her.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48Sweetheart. Hello. Come on.
0:03:48 > 0:03:49Come and see us.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51Come on.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- She's still bleeding.- Is she?
0:03:55 > 0:03:59She seems irritated by something. She's been chewing on that back end all that time.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02That could be related to the recent birth.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04How many have we got? How many babies have you got?
0:04:04 > 0:04:06One, two, three, four, five, six...
0:04:06 > 0:04:08We've got seven.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Are those your babies?
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Oh...
0:04:12 > 0:04:15Oh, that's nice!
0:04:15 > 0:04:21Something is irritating her so we'll have the guys from the RSPCA have a quick look at her.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23- What's your intention with the pups? - I'm keeping one.
0:04:23 > 0:04:28I'm not selling them. I'm only giving them to good homes...
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- She's not a full Dane, is she?- No.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33American bulldog.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37There's an American bulldog. I don't know if you've seen it.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42- Where?- Big white one. You must have seen it.- I think I've seen it but I don't know the geezer.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46One of the men reveals the puppies are sired by an American bulldog.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50People are involved in the irresponsible breeding of dogs,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53and allegations of dog fighting have been made against them.
0:04:53 > 0:05:01You've got to consider that the offspring of that litter
0:05:01 > 0:05:05from the Great Dane bitch could be another bull breed.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10This gives them this tall but also large, heavy, muscular line of dogs.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16With regards to the allegation of dog fighting,
0:05:16 > 0:05:21there's no...no evidence of that.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24They're coming for dangerous dogs. Did you find any? Did you find any dangerous dogs?
0:05:26 > 0:05:31We've got a kid living here. Do you think we're gonna fight dogs when there's a kid around?
0:05:31 > 0:05:34We only watch it on YouTube. Thank you!
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- Does dog fighting go on around here? - Not that I know of.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40We aren't going to fight dogs around here.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42We have to go to Alum Rock.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Too many snitches.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52With regards to dog fighting, they are quite a close-knit bunch,
0:05:52 > 0:05:56so...it's as and when.
0:05:56 > 0:05:57You've got to wait for it to come in.
0:05:57 > 0:06:04The police often have to rely on local tipoffs, which inform them of potentially dangerous dogs.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08They have received information that there is a banned dog on this estate.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15The address Keith and the team are investigating is on the 19th floor of a tower block.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Is the dog secure?
0:06:17 > 0:06:19- Do you live on your own?- Yeah. Why?
0:06:19 > 0:06:20No problem.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25We've got a warrant under the Dangerous Dogs Act. We've been told you've got a section one dog.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29There's excrement in there, lying around on the lounge floor
0:06:29 > 0:06:31that looks a couple of days old.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33I'm not nasty to them.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40- Just come here a second. - Go and speak to the officer.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44I'm not going to do anything without you knowing, all right? No...
0:06:44 > 0:06:46Go on!
0:06:46 > 0:06:52Keith finds what he thinks is a pit bull in Patricia's flat.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Ah! Hello!
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- How old do you think he is? - He's not very old at all, is he?
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- He's a beautiful boy.- He's lovely!
0:07:06 > 0:07:10I'm going to have a quick chat with this lady.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14- For the time being, I'm afraid, Tyson's going to have to come with us.- No!
0:07:14 > 0:07:19I'm afraid he has to. He's a prohibited dog.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Is there a friend or anybody that can be with you?
0:07:22 > 0:07:25No. I wouldn't want anybody with me.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30We just want to know that you're going to be all right.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34How am I going to be all right when I explain it to my fucking son?
0:07:34 > 0:07:36SHE SOBS
0:07:36 > 0:07:42When does your son come back? Will he want to answer any questions?
0:07:42 > 0:07:47This is not the first time that Patricia has been raided. In 2003, a pit bull was seized from her home.
0:07:47 > 0:07:52She was convicted of cruelty to animals and banned from owning pets for the rest of her life.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55You've took him and now he's not coming back.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Is he going to be put in a home or fucking put down?
0:07:58 > 0:08:02- Come in here...- I AIN'T GOING ANYWHERE!
0:08:02 > 0:08:04- Come in here.- Just leave me alone!
0:08:04 > 0:08:08- Just calm down.- You've done what you fucking wanted to do!
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Just leave me alone.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12We all appreciate...
0:08:12 > 0:08:17I don't care what you appreciate. You've just come to my flat and took my son's dog.
0:08:17 > 0:08:23- Yes.- It's not fucking right! That slag down there can keep her fucking dog!
0:08:23 > 0:08:25SHE SOBS
0:08:25 > 0:08:29But what you were doing was against the law. That's the trouble.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Just go.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34I'll make sure that all the officers
0:08:34 > 0:08:37finish what they're doing and we'll make sure you're OK.
0:08:37 > 0:08:38You don't have to see if I'm OK.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40You've done what you wanted to do.
0:08:40 > 0:08:45You've stepped in my flat. You've took my dog. Not my dog, my son's dog.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48It's fucking evil!
0:08:48 > 0:08:50This is the second time it's happened.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52They took Patch. They pinned Patch in that corner.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56And now they've come and taken fucking Tyson.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59They didn't have to do that to Tyson.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02He's gone quite happily with them cos he's a lovely dog.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05A lovely dog! A lovely dog that's going to be fucking put down!
0:09:05 > 0:09:08No-one's going to re-home him.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10He's a lovely dog, yeah. He's nice.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13Pssssst! Lethal injection cos of the breed, yeah.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16You think I'm stupid but I'm not.
0:09:16 > 0:09:23I don't think you're stupid at all. It's not legal and therefore he's had to be taken. Yeah?
0:09:30 > 0:09:31SHE GROANS
0:09:31 > 0:09:37We've just had a mixture of anger, disappointment, disbelief.
0:09:37 > 0:09:43If you read a bit more into those living conditions, you can see that dog doesn't receive
0:09:43 > 0:09:44regular exercise.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46Dogs of this nature need about two hours a day.
0:09:46 > 0:09:52The fact that there was faeces in that flat,
0:09:52 > 0:09:57a couple of days old, would imply that the dog, for at least a couple of days,
0:09:57 > 0:10:03that dog hasn't had any exercise whatsoever outside that small flat.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05There's urine all over the floor.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10The dog's got visible sores around its feet.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16The dog can't go back to her. I wouldn't advocate the dog being returned,
0:10:16 > 0:10:19even if she claims the dog belongs to her son.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22But in those living conditions,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25I wouldn't advocate the dog being returned to her.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29DOG BARKS
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Many fighting dogs are the result of cross-breeding between perfectly legal dogs
0:10:32 > 0:10:35to create the banned pit bull type.
0:10:35 > 0:10:36Come on, little fella.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42In order to determine whether a dog is a prohibited type,
0:10:42 > 0:10:46there are 58 defining characteristics to look for that relate it to
0:10:46 > 0:10:48the classic American pit bull.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52Just seen the initial reactions to another dog.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56Come on. Come on. Come on.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00We will be as friendly as we can when we are examining these dogs
0:11:00 > 0:11:03but we don't really want to overdo that friendliness
0:11:03 > 0:11:06because the dogs can get too excitable.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09And these dogs can reach such a high state of arousal.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11That's when they start to bite.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15So we'll have to be firm with them and instil discipline into them.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- That's a good lad.- Stay.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23A dog with pit bull type should appear square when viewed from the side.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27So we measure from the front of the shoulder back to the point of the hip.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- And that distance should be somewhere near...- Stay! - ..from the withers to the ground,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34which gives them this square appearance in the body.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36He's two centimetres out.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40He's two centimetres longer than he is high.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42But he has got a square.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45So he's 52 and 54. So that does give him a square appearance.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50If Tony and Keith determine that Tyson is a banned pit bull,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53it is very likely the courts will order his destruction.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Shall we see how big your big head is?
0:11:58 > 0:12:00You're a big boy!
0:12:00 > 0:12:01Good lad.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05You can see it as a pit bull across the room.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07The reason I take so many measurements
0:12:07 > 0:12:11it just assists in presenting your evidence in court.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13So you're not just saying it's a pit bull,
0:12:13 > 0:12:17you are saying it's a pit bull and here are 50-odd reasons WHY it's a pit bull.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20If it is established that a dog is a banned type,
0:12:20 > 0:12:24it'll be destroyed unless its owner can prove
0:12:24 > 0:12:26that they are responsible and the dog harmless.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Even then the dog must be neutered,
0:12:28 > 0:12:31microchipped, tattooed and muzzled in public.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35Every now and then, unfortunately, with the current law,
0:12:35 > 0:12:41really sociable healthy dogs do get, um, caught up in it.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45And there is just nothing you can do. You can't re-home them.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Which is a pity for this little fella.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52Cos I think there is a change in the law
0:12:52 > 0:12:55it's going to come too late for this one.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59He never bit nobody. He was a nice little dog.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03He liked playing more than anything. Like normal puppies.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10That dog meant everything to me.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14He wouldn't hurt a fly.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25In November 2009, four-year-old John-Paul Massey became
0:13:25 > 0:13:29a victim of a dangerous dog which was a family pet.
0:13:31 > 0:13:36Hundreds attended his funeral in Liverpool, just days before Christmas.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38BELL TOLLS
0:13:46 > 0:13:49John-Paul Massey was killed in the early hours of this morning in Liverpool.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52His grandmother was also treated in hospital.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55It's thought she was trying to pull the animal off the child.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57The dog has been destroyed.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59John-Paul had come to stay with me.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02We played games all night and we'd had great fun.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06Then he got tired then and he spent the night sitting with me
0:14:06 > 0:14:10and we laughed and we made arrangements for Christmas.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15And then he fell asleep on the settee.
0:14:15 > 0:14:16And then he woke up
0:14:16 > 0:14:20and he said he was hungry and he wanted some crisps.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24I got two bags of crisps - one for him and one for the dog.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26And I gave him the crisps
0:14:26 > 0:14:29by which time he'd fell back asleep.
0:14:31 > 0:14:32And...er...
0:14:32 > 0:14:36And then I turned to offer the dog.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39And then it all just happened.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42Nothing prepares you for that, nothing.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46It was like being thrown in some kind of a horror film.
0:14:46 > 0:14:47It was a total nightmare.
0:14:47 > 0:14:52I was totally unprepared for the strength of the dog.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55I grabbed John-Paul and ran out of the room.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59And then the dog came out after me.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03And attacked me from behind.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06It was horrendous.
0:15:06 > 0:15:07When police arrived here,
0:15:07 > 0:15:11they found the dog in what they described as an agitated state
0:15:11 > 0:15:14in the front garden of this house.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17And a short time later the decision was made to shoot the animal.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20I blame myself entirely.
0:15:20 > 0:15:26You know, it was very close to me and was always following me around.
0:15:26 > 0:15:32That particular night I didn't... I shooed him away a lot.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35I just wanted to spend all my time with John-Paul
0:15:35 > 0:15:37and play with John-Paul.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41And I honestly believe, you know, it became very jealous.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45And I think it was pure jealousy.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51So tonight the police investigation is continuing here at the scene.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54And of course there are families all round this neighbourhood,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57having had to explain to their young children
0:15:57 > 0:16:01why one of their school friends has died and what happened.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04John-Paul's mother Angela was at a restaurant
0:16:04 > 0:16:08when she received the call to tell her her son had died.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11That second that you're told, your whole world stops.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16You protect them so much - from strangers and the roads
0:16:16 > 0:16:18and being run over and falling...
0:16:19 > 0:16:22And you just don't think that the demon
0:16:22 > 0:16:25was actually living in the house.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Something you've regarded as the family.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32Something that they've grown up with, played with, eaten their dinner with.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Lay on the couch with, watched telly with.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37And all the time, the demon's in the house.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41SHE SNIFFS
0:16:43 > 0:16:47I just wake up in the morning and think.... You wake up
0:16:47 > 0:16:50the first couple of minutes you forget.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54Everything's normal till you look at the side of the bed
0:16:54 > 0:16:56and see that he's not there.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00You think, why doesn't someone just come and kill me. Put me out my misery.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02Why don't I just get run over by a bus.
0:17:04 > 0:17:05SHE SNIFFS
0:17:06 > 0:17:09The dog that killed John-Paul belonged to his uncle
0:17:09 > 0:17:11who was away in the Army.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14Both he and John-Paul's grandmother Helen were charged
0:17:14 > 0:17:16with owning a banned fighting dog
0:17:16 > 0:17:18and sentenced to four months in prison.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Helen's sentence was suspended.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Beyond being kept as family pets,
0:17:27 > 0:17:31hundreds of pit-bull type dogs were seized last year from criminals.
0:17:31 > 0:17:37People having these dogs as weapons to intimidate and assault others.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40People involved in the dealing of drugs,
0:17:40 > 0:17:43they can just leave them in a lock-up and the only time
0:17:43 > 0:17:46this dog will have any human contact whatsoever
0:17:46 > 0:17:50is every couple of days when they come to throw it some food
0:17:50 > 0:17:52and make sure it's got some water.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56And all that dog's life revolves around guarding a few packages
0:17:56 > 0:18:00stuffed in the boot of an old car at the back of a lock-up.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02It is 5:00am and the Gang Taskforce
0:18:02 > 0:18:06have asked for the Dangerous Dog Unit's help to protect them on a raid.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Their target is a key member of a notorious gang.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12We are a team targeting gang members all across Birmingham.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14Hence why we are here today.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18Also, at the address, there may well be what's described as a vicious dog.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22Initially, I want to drive the dog in a corner somewhere, get it out of the way,
0:18:22 > 0:18:24just to all you guys entry.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34As soon as the door's breached we'll clear out of the way.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38My theory is when the dog gets scared he's going to go up the stairs.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40- Go! go! go!- Go! Go!
0:18:40 > 0:18:44- Police! stay where you are! - Stay where you are!
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- Stay where you are! - All right, all right, all right.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- DOG BARKS - Stay still!
0:18:49 > 0:18:55Show me your hands right now. Listen to me, you woman.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59Keith has two tackle a vicious dog protecting its owners.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02- Off the bed. Off the bed. - What have we done?
0:19:02 > 0:19:03Mate, do as you're told!
0:19:03 > 0:19:05Shut up!
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Don't hurt him. Don't hurt him, please.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09- DOG BARKS AND SNARLS - Don't hurt him, please.
0:19:09 > 0:19:10Do as you're told!
0:19:10 > 0:19:14If you move, you're getting shocked, understand?
0:19:14 > 0:19:16We don't want anyone to get bitten or anyone to get hurt.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18Another snaffle.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22- Stay where you are! - No, no, no! Keep them down there.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24Please don't hurt my dog.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26Get the pole, Ronnie.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29DISTORTED SPEECH
0:19:29 > 0:19:33- No, no. He's coming with us. - Where is he going to go?
0:19:36 > 0:19:38DOG STRUGGLES, SHOUTING
0:19:46 > 0:19:52We're going all the outside. Sarge, we're going all the way out.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55The sooner we get him out the house the sooner we're walking.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07OK, pop that other snaffle on him again.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09We're going to lift him in the van.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12If you go on this side, as soon as you turn, it twists on him.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15Nice and gently.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17Right, just walk him to the back of the van.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21As the captured dog is taken away, his owner is in tears.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23They won't be able to deal with my dog.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- They will, they will.- They won't!
0:20:26 > 0:20:28I talked to them there and he'd calmed down.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30He will but you won't be able to touch him.
0:20:30 > 0:20:35Let me do my job, let the dog handlers in the dog section do there job.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37- They're going to put down. - Don't put him down.
0:20:40 > 0:20:47The problem is when you try and contain these animals to secure them, is their panic.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49And in a state of panic they can bite anybody.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52It is quite distressing for the people whose dog it is.
0:20:52 > 0:20:58The fact is we just cannot take the risk of officers or the occupants being bitten by a dog,
0:20:58 > 0:21:03especially a dog like that. I mean the damage it would cause would be horrendous.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06The reason we are taking him with us is cos those aren't the conditions
0:21:06 > 0:21:09for assessing whether a dog's pit bull type or not.
0:21:09 > 0:21:10Do us a favour - can you arrest him
0:21:10 > 0:21:13on suspicion of possession of a designated fighting dog?
0:21:13 > 0:21:19- Yep.- And in the next 48 hours I'll give you the thumbs or thumbs down.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21Do you want me to speak to him?
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Yes, can you explain that to him. That would be good.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26MAN: I just want my dog back.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28What are you going to do with my dog?
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- Do you want to speak to me or hear from me?- Please.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34OK, the dog has a number of characteristics
0:21:34 > 0:21:35that are of a pit bull type.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38- It is not a Staffordshire bull terrier?- He's a staff.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41- I've checked before. - OK, not a problem. So you won't mind
0:21:41 > 0:21:44- having him checked again? - No problem.- All right.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53A thorough search of the house revealed a quantity of cannabis.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04The captured dog is taken to a secret kennel to join other
0:22:04 > 0:22:06potentially dangerous dogs
0:22:06 > 0:22:09waiting to be examined for pit bull characteristics.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12BARKING
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Got him. You ain't biting me, mate.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21It's always a good behavioural trait when they freeze
0:22:21 > 0:22:24and they follow you just with their eyes.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26And you can see the whites of their eyes.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28That is when you get nailed.
0:22:28 > 0:22:33That really is the final point. The next stage of that is bosh.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35- Tighten that up slightly.- Good lad.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Watch your back. Watch yourself, mate. Hang on.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- DOG GROWLS - Happy with him or do you want another one?
0:22:40 > 0:22:42BARKING AND SLAMMING CAGES
0:22:42 > 0:22:44Hold him there, hold him. Whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46These dogs are particularly feared
0:22:46 > 0:22:51because they can attack without warning and with great ferocity. It's almost impossible
0:22:51 > 0:22:54to stop them once they've started their attack.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56BARKING
0:22:59 > 0:23:01But not all the dogs here are aggressive.
0:23:01 > 0:23:06There are friendly dogs and others who are clearly terrified.
0:23:09 > 0:23:14Deciding whether a dog belongs to a banned breed isn't always easy
0:23:14 > 0:23:16as so many of them are crossbred.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18At this stage I'd be inclined to say
0:23:18 > 0:23:21she's more of a Staffy cross than a pit bull-type dog.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27An early assessment... It's not my first impression
0:23:27 > 0:23:30so if we don't think there's sufficient characteristics
0:23:30 > 0:23:32then it should be returned to the owner.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38This dog, known as Digby, bit a child after running away.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44It's been freed by the courts and Tony is returning it to its owner.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50We can only do what the courts ask us to do.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54The police can put forward all sorts of recommendations as to how
0:23:54 > 0:23:58we feel the dog should be dealt with but unfortunately if the owner of
0:23:58 > 0:24:01the dog or the person responsible at the time isn't prosecuted,
0:24:01 > 0:24:06then the courts aren't going to issue any conditions on the animal.
0:24:06 > 0:24:11In circumstances like that, you just hope really that the dogs are being well looked after
0:24:11 > 0:24:15and not going back to an environment where they're going to be mistreated.
0:24:15 > 0:24:20And unfortunately I've struggled to get this dog back to the owner.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24It's... It's a few excuses along the way
0:24:24 > 0:24:28or he's been too busy for one reason or another to have his dog back.
0:24:28 > 0:24:35Um... And I've had to even supply a lead and collar now for him.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43That's the white house with the skip in the front garden.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47- Well, he's a little bit destructive.- He will be.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51Cos when I open the boot, you'll see what he's done to the mat in the car.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55He's shredded it, he's torn it to bits.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57I think that collar will probably fit.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00That's quite a good collar, if you want to pop that on him.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04And...there's an old lead.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08How long have you not had him for?
0:25:08 > 0:25:10For how long it's been? I don't know how long it's been.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13- I haven't seen him for ages. - Let's get him out the back.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17We've had him since April and he's... I don't know, how old is the dog?
0:25:17 > 0:25:20- He's coming to four now.- Four, yeah.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24- As you can see, he's decided to chew the mat to bits.- Hello, boy.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26- Stay there, I'll just pop this on him.- Stay.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28So we don't have to struggle with a collar.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32- If you want to... We'll get him off the road.- Come here. Stay, come here.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36Do you want to pop a collar on him? He's a little bit calmer now.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Perhaps he recognises the area, knows he's back home.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42- We called him Digby, what's this correct name?- X.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45OK, take care, take care how you go.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Come here, come here. Mmm? Yes, Daddy's missed you. Yes, I know.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Take you home.
0:25:53 > 0:25:58Hopefully, Digby, or X, his correct name, will be happy now
0:25:58 > 0:26:00back with his owner.
0:26:00 > 0:26:05- Come on then, boy.- I just hope he doesn't bite any more children.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Not everyone is lucky enough to get their dog back.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10Keith has to tell Patricia that she and her son
0:26:10 > 0:26:14will not face criminal charges for possession of a banned dog
0:26:14 > 0:26:18but the case for its destruction will be put before a court.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22- Hello.- Hello, mate. - Is your mum in?- Yeah.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25- Can we have a quick word with her? - She's just on the phone.- Is she?
0:26:25 > 0:26:29OK, we'll wait a second then, all right. Hiya.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34What we propose to recommend is it would not be in the public interest
0:26:34 > 0:26:35to prosecute you.
0:26:35 > 0:26:40What I will propose to do is to take the matter before a district judge
0:26:40 > 0:26:43or a bench of magistrates. They will make a decision then.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47I'll relay the circumstances of everything to them.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51The court will have to address any correspondence to your son.
0:26:51 > 0:26:52- OK?- Yeah.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56- (SHOUTS) David?- What now?- Come here. - And turn your stereo...
0:26:56 > 0:27:01- No, don't be silly. - Come here now! Come here.- No.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04- Please do not kick off. - Give me a reason why I shouldn't.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08- No, no, no, listen. Don't kick off. - No, no, give me a reason why not.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11- No, listen, I've just asked... - Give me a reason why I shouldn't.
0:27:11 > 0:27:17- They took my dog, then they come here and...- Listen to me without shouting your mouth off, right?
0:27:17 > 0:27:19- Are you listening?- No.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22If it goes to court, right,
0:27:22 > 0:27:25cos I told them the dog's not mine, it was yours.
0:27:25 > 0:27:26Yeah, he was mine.
0:27:26 > 0:27:31If it goes to court and you can't make it, I will go on your behalf.
0:27:31 > 0:27:37- I don't care, he's my dog.- You're missing the point. I'll talk to you after, go in.- Fucking... My dog...
0:27:37 > 0:27:41- See how he kicked off now? It'll kick off in court, that's what I don't want him to do.- OK.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43HE SHOUTS BEHIND DOOR Sh-sh-sh.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45I'll speak to the court. Um...
0:27:45 > 0:27:47SHOUTING CONTINUES Shh!
0:27:47 > 0:27:51Hopefully they don't have to summon people to attend court
0:27:51 > 0:27:54and then you can attend instead.
0:27:54 > 0:27:59- OK then.- And it'll probably be...Wolverhampton Court.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01I was going to ask a simple question.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Before you came I was going to get him to the vets about his feet.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07- Cos he had blisters between his feet. - He's been seen by the vets.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11- Is everything OK?- Yeah, he's fine. - Have his feet cleared up?- Yep.- Yes!
0:28:11 > 0:28:15When he sees the letters and the content of the letter,
0:28:15 > 0:28:18will he appreciate what it means when he reads it?
0:28:18 > 0:28:21- I'll have to get somebody to read it for him.- Right, OK.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25Because we're both...eurgh! He'll go, "Pwah, get out." We're both dyslexic.
0:28:25 > 0:28:26Under this application...
0:28:26 > 0:28:31- EMERGING FROM DOOR:- That's the reason I'm doing nothing to do with Tyson,
0:28:31 > 0:28:32Tyson not going to no-one.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35I'm getting out of here, and getting that dog back.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37OK, OK, OK.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41- ..is that... He needs to understand he's not in trouble.- Yeah. - If you get what I mean.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45- He can't...- He can't kick off for stupid little things.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48No, when I say he's not in trouble, he won't get a fine,
0:28:48 > 0:28:50he won't into trouble with the magistrates,
0:28:50 > 0:28:53- it's purely to deal with the dog. - Yeah, no punishment.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57- Thank you anyhow. - OK, you take care now. All the best.
0:28:58 > 0:29:03Patricia's situation is complicated by her conviction for cruelty to animals.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05This leaves fewer legal options.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08She's banned from having animals so the dog can't go back to her.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Under the Dangerous Dogs Act,
0:29:11 > 0:29:16you can't change ownership of a pit bull-type dog.
0:29:17 > 0:29:22So the only option available to us is to request destruction of the dog.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24Which is a great shame and as far as I' concerned,
0:29:24 > 0:29:27is one of the major flaws of the Dangerous Dogs Act.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31We find ourselves in a position where perfectly sociable dogs,
0:29:31 > 0:29:33they can't be re-homed.
0:29:35 > 0:29:36There's been another tip-off,
0:29:36 > 0:29:41this time about a vicious dog which has been seen trying to escape from a garden.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44Just watch these kids here.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46BARKING AND SIRENS
0:29:46 > 0:29:48Good morning.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51We've got a warrant from Birmingham Magistrates to look for a dangerous dog.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53- Just move out of the way. - You what? My dog?
0:29:53 > 0:29:56- Hold on a minute, hold on. - Open the door.- Hold on a minute.
0:29:56 > 0:29:57Madam, just go inside.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01- Hold on!- No, no.- What do you mean, about my dog?- Go inside, please.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04- Hold on.- Where's your dog? - Do you want to have a look?
0:30:04 > 0:30:09- SOUND BECOMES MUFFLED Hold on.- Just stay here a sec. - No problem.- Hold on.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12- Where's your dog?- Just want to have a look, that's all, darling.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14- Hold on a minute.- Where's your dog? - In the garden.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18- That's fine. Calm yourself down. - Somebody reported this dog?
0:30:18 > 0:30:21What it is, we've got a warrant where we suspect it may be
0:30:21 > 0:30:23a prohibited dog so we need a quick look.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25- What do you mean?- A dangerous dog.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27- No, it's not a dangerous dog. - No need to shout.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30- No, it's not. My dog... - We need access.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33My dog is a family pet, right? You've woke me up out of my bed
0:30:33 > 0:30:36and all of you lot come into my house like this.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39- OK, well, we're just doing what... - This is disgraceful, man.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41The dog, at this moment in time,
0:30:41 > 0:30:43I suspect the dog of being a pit bull-type.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46Now, we will need to seize the dog today to have a better look at him.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48Hold on a minute, hold on a minute.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50Well, no, you've got no say in the matter.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53We have a warrant and the power to do it.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55All that will happen is if we seize the dog today,
0:30:55 > 0:30:57we'll have a better look at him.
0:30:57 > 0:31:02- If we don't think he substantially conforms to pit bull-type... - It's not a he, it's a she.- OK, she.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05Then you'll have the dog back. What's your dog's name?
0:31:05 > 0:31:08It's not my dog, it belongs to my daughter actually.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10She left the dog here, I look after that one.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14She's had that dog since it was nine weeks old, ten weeks old.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17That dog has never troubled anybody, yeah?
0:31:17 > 0:31:20It was a different case with my granddaughter
0:31:20 > 0:31:22and she got bitten by a dog, and what was done about it?
0:31:22 > 0:31:25My granddaughter nearly lost the use of her arm through it.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28- Sarge, can move the lady? - Yes, move the lady out the way.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31That dog is not a bad dog, it's not going to go with you.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34That's dog only knows me and my kids.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38- Do you want her out on a snaffle, or are you happy? - She seems happy enough.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42- Come on. Come on, there's a good girl.- Watch yourself.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45- No, I know, I know.- She'll have no association with that lead at all.
0:31:45 > 0:31:46Never been walked.
0:31:46 > 0:31:51- Come on.- We don't want to use the pole if we don't have to. - Come on then, come on then.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55- Come on. Sweetheart, come on. - Good girl.- No, it's OK.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57- DOG WHIMPERS AND YELPS - Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01Whoa, whoa, whoa. Watch yourself, watch yourself.
0:32:01 > 0:32:07- Watch yourself.- Be steady, be steady. Be steady. Sit, sit. Sit.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12- Be steady, be steady. - Just hold her still, Tone.- Sit, sit.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15- Have you got her now? - Yeah, I just wanted to...
0:32:15 > 0:32:17- Right, calm her.- Good girl, come on.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20- Have you got her?- Stay there. - Good girl, good girl. Steady, now.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24- Come on then, come on then. Come on then. - Oh, God. Look what I'm stood in.
0:32:24 > 0:32:29Jesus, it's all covered in shit. This excrement is, like, days old.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32- Ooof!- I tell you what, she's a strong girl.
0:32:32 > 0:32:37Just careful. If she twists, I've got to twist with her, don't forget.
0:32:37 > 0:32:38Come on now, be steady.
0:32:38 > 0:32:42- It's purely fear, this is. - Yeah. Good girl, come here.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44- No, don't get near her. - She's never been walked, mate.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48- DISTRESSED GROWL - Come on, come on.
0:32:48 > 0:32:49GROWLING CONTINUES
0:32:54 > 0:32:56- Good girl, there's a good girl. - Jesus.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59I arrest you on suspicion of possessing a fighting dog.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03It may harm your defence if you don't mention something you later rely on.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand?
0:33:06 > 0:33:08That's your prompt to investigate the offence.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10OK, we'll go to the station now.
0:33:10 > 0:33:12Get your evidence on tape and then that'll be...
0:33:12 > 0:33:15Give you a bail officer, we can examine the dog.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17All right? Do you understand that?
0:33:17 > 0:33:19SHE REMAINS SILENT
0:33:19 > 0:33:21Follow that officer down there, please.
0:33:21 > 0:33:22Oh, where's my bus pass, man?
0:33:24 > 0:33:25Follow me.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33They're not providing suitable conditions for the dog to live in.
0:33:33 > 0:33:34We'll get that dog to kennels now.
0:33:34 > 0:33:39You see the problem we have now. If it's typed and it goes through the courts,
0:33:39 > 0:33:43would you allow this type of dog to come back to this premises?
0:33:43 > 0:33:49Because the conditions they're keeping the dog in. It's not good.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54Just go over to the Sergeant, please.
0:33:54 > 0:33:59I'm only here to look after you and make sure you're treated fairly.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02Have you been arrested before? Born in Birmingham?
0:34:02 > 0:34:04Do you work?
0:34:08 > 0:34:12- Ever tried to harm yourself, had suicidal thoughts or depression?- No.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14- Mental health and learning difficulties?- No.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Can you read and write?
0:34:16 > 0:34:17MUMBLING
0:34:17 > 0:34:20- Are you an alcoholic?- No. - Do you use any illegal drugs?- No.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24Anything else about your welfare we need to be aware of so I can look after you?
0:34:24 > 0:34:27- Do you have any questions at all?- No.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30I think the officers are ready to interview you.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33The woman is not charged with any criminal offence,
0:34:33 > 0:34:37but her dog is impounded and may be destroyed.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42The team battle on and this time
0:34:42 > 0:34:45they're acting on intelligence that there are banned dogs
0:34:45 > 0:34:49guarding a house from which drugs are being dealt.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51BANGING
0:34:51 > 0:34:53Police!
0:34:53 > 0:34:55- Stay still! - Straight to the top.
0:34:55 > 0:34:59- Where's the dog? - He's gone.- Downstairs!
0:34:59 > 0:35:03- What the...? - Mate, stop struggling.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06- Stop struggling! Get down! - Your knee's on my hands!
0:35:06 > 0:35:10You fucking... Your knee's on my hands!
0:35:10 > 0:35:12Your knee is on my flipping hand!
0:35:12 > 0:35:14What's happened?
0:35:14 > 0:35:16All will be explained shortly.
0:35:16 > 0:35:21- We've got a warrant for this address. - So? I ain't an address!
0:35:21 > 0:35:22I ain't no address!
0:35:22 > 0:35:25But we dictate what's going on in this property, OK?
0:35:25 > 0:35:27We'll search you, search this house.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Depending on what we find is dependant on who's arrested,
0:35:30 > 0:35:33who we take away, who we interview, etcetera, OK?
0:35:34 > 0:35:36It's going to be fine, I think.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38Once we win him over.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42You haven't got much of a playground here, have you?
0:35:42 > 0:35:44Have you? No, you haven't. Come on, sweetheart.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47The pit-bull type dog at the property seems scared.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51What people don't realise is that these dogs
0:35:51 > 0:35:53have got very thin coats.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57We're approaching winter now. This dog would have been outside,
0:35:57 > 0:36:01virtually no fat on its body whatsoever,
0:36:01 > 0:36:02hardly any coat.
0:36:02 > 0:36:07This dog would really suffer over the winter months.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09They're just not built for this.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12You'd be absolutely freezing, wouldn't you?
0:36:15 > 0:36:17Sarge, I'm searching the room.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20We've found what we believe to be a quantity of herbal cannabis
0:36:20 > 0:36:23inside the electric meter. As you can see...
0:36:23 > 0:36:25- Quite dry, isn't it? - Quite dry there.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28- Doesn't smell very strong however. - Lovely.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31OK, fantastic. Just careful with the electric.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33Do you want to tip out all that stuff in there,
0:36:33 > 0:36:36- just have a good look? - Yeah, course I will.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41Through the back, mate. Through the back.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47Come here, sweetheart. I don't think you've ever been in a car.
0:36:47 > 0:36:49Come on. Up, up. Come on, sweetheart.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53There's a small puppy found
0:36:53 > 0:36:56that's been living in disturbing conditions.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59When you gather evidence for a prosecution like this, you can't...
0:37:02 > 0:37:05No matter what videoing or photographing you do,
0:37:05 > 0:37:08you can't pick up things like the smell
0:37:08 > 0:37:12that is emanating from this room.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14You've got to be well-documented.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17Whereas a photograph speaks a thousand words
0:37:17 > 0:37:20for things like faeces etcetera, the smell is just...
0:37:23 > 0:37:25You couldn't explain it to people.
0:37:33 > 0:37:34It's disgusting.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37Is there any fish in that?
0:37:40 > 0:37:43Bags with a little bit of residue.
0:37:43 > 0:37:44Cannabis in there.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48In addition to the large bag of cannabis found downstairs,
0:37:48 > 0:37:52officers discover packaged wraps of crack cocaine.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56OK, I'm arresting you for possession of Class A crack cocaine
0:37:56 > 0:37:58and possession of Class B cannabis, OK?
0:37:58 > 0:38:00Crack cocaine?! Where's the crack cocaine?
0:38:00 > 0:38:03It may harm your defence if you don't mention something
0:38:03 > 0:38:07you may rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10Do you want to arrest him also on suspicion
0:38:10 > 0:38:12of causing unnecessary suffering
0:38:12 > 0:38:15under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act?
0:38:32 > 0:38:35Patricia's son's hearing for possession of a pitbull is today.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39She's going to attend on his behalf.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41SHE SIGHS
0:38:41 > 0:38:45Why are they going to put a dog down if it hasn't bit anybody?
0:38:45 > 0:38:49You put a dog down if it bites somebody, but he hasn't bit nobody.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52He stays in this flat and that's it.
0:38:52 > 0:38:57He stayed here and I took him out at night-time.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01So at the end of the day, he shouldn't really be put down.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03He should either be re-homed or whatever,
0:39:03 > 0:39:06but they shouldn't put him down.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11Don't know why they should put him down.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13I just hope and pray I don't get a fine
0:39:13 > 0:39:15because I can't afford to pay it.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18That'll be two things I'll have to pay then.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20My rent and the fine of the dog.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25SHE SIGHS
0:39:27 > 0:39:29We taught him how the dog is treated.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33If the dog's treated properly, then it won't turn nasty.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37If a dog's treated evil, then yes they can turn nasty.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45Any dog'll go nasty. Rottweiler, Pit, Staff, any dog.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51Doesn't matter what dogs they are, they could turn nasty.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57- How is he anyway?- Sorry?- How is he?
0:39:57 > 0:39:59The dog's fine, absolutely fine.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03- Woof-Woof. How is Mr Woof-Woof, as I call him?- Absolutely fine.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07- Good.- What I'll do now is I'll just pop in there and have a chat.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11- It'll be dealt with as quickly as possible.- Yeah.- Right.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18The judge delivers his verdict in just ten minutes.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20They're putting him down.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23I can't have him back. They're destroying him.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33- You all right?- No. They're putting my dog down.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38He was only a puppy. He was only three months old.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41He was the most friendliest frigging dog out.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43DOGS WHINING
0:40:43 > 0:40:47Once dogs are condemned, they're dispatched promptly.
0:40:47 > 0:40:52Many, like this one, will never have been guilty of attacks.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55This is the worst part of this job really.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58The owners aren't suitable for them to go back to,
0:40:58 > 0:41:01current legislation says they can't be re-homed,
0:41:01 > 0:41:04so unfortunately when the case is finalised at court,
0:41:04 > 0:41:07the only option is for the court to order destruction.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10That's what we're carrying out today.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14- It's all right, sweetheart. - I've got her.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16It's all right, I've got her.
0:41:16 > 0:41:21First, they're given a very strong sedative.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25Once they're sufficiently calm, they're carried into surgery
0:41:25 > 0:41:27and given a lethal injection.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52Hundreds of dogs deemed illegal are killed every year,
0:41:52 > 0:41:55but the number of attacks continues to rise.
0:41:55 > 0:42:00This raises questions over the effectiveness of the law.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03It's meant to be protecting public safety
0:42:03 > 0:42:05and ensuring animal welfare.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09You've got to ask yourself if it's doing either in its current form.
0:42:19 > 0:42:24Today is the second anniversary of John Paul Massey's death.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27His mother Angela and his uncle Christian,
0:42:27 > 0:42:32who owned the dog that killed him, are commemorating the day.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36After the fatal attack, Christian lost his job in the army
0:42:36 > 0:42:38and was hounded by the media.
0:42:38 > 0:42:42- I love you so much, you know. - All right, shut up.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44'I just don't think it's fair
0:42:44 > 0:42:47'the way Christian was vilified.'
0:42:48 > 0:42:49It's destroyed him
0:42:49 > 0:42:52and absolutely devastated him.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57'He's had to learn to deal with that
0:42:57 > 0:43:00'and I think he's dealt with it very, very well..'
0:43:01 > 0:43:03In a very mature...
0:43:06 > 0:43:07..grown-up manner.
0:43:10 > 0:43:12I'll never change people's perception
0:43:12 > 0:43:14or opinion of what happened.
0:43:15 > 0:43:17Never will.
0:43:17 > 0:43:19Never can, never will.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24Even now, it's all so surreal.
0:43:27 > 0:43:29Nobody thought it was going to happen.
0:43:29 > 0:43:31Or perceive that it could happen.
0:43:32 > 0:43:37And I don't think anybody in their right mind
0:43:37 > 0:43:40would have put anybody in their family in that situation.
0:43:42 > 0:43:45It's as if someone pulls a rug from underneath your life
0:43:48 > 0:43:52You know, your life's over and never the same again.
0:43:52 > 0:43:53Everything you knew.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58Everything... Oh, it's just gone.
0:43:58 > 0:44:00SHE SOBS
0:44:00 > 0:44:02The only thing I would say is...
0:44:05 > 0:44:09People need to understand
0:44:09 > 0:44:10and realise...
0:44:12 > 0:44:15..that anything can happen
0:44:15 > 0:44:19that could ruin people's lives.
0:44:56 > 0:44:59Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:44:59 > 0:45:02E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk