0:00:02 > 0:00:04- RSPCA Control Centre... - Is the cat still breathing...?
0:00:04 > 0:00:06- 'No.'- You don't think it's breathing...
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Every 30 seconds, someone calls the RSPCA
0:00:10 > 0:00:13about an animal that needs help.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16I'll pass this information to the officer...
0:00:17 > 0:00:20From neglected pets to injured wildlife...
0:00:22 > 0:00:25..for the trained inspectors, every shift is a challenge.
0:00:27 > 0:00:28It's disgusting.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32We can't leave this situation as it is.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Now, they tell us what it's really like
0:00:35 > 0:00:37on the animal front line.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39No day really is the same.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44We have piggies! It never ceases to amaze me.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47I go to bed thinking about it and I wake up thinking about it.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51What makes a good RSPCA inspector?
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Nerves of steel, a stomach of iron...
0:00:54 > 0:00:56and a sense of humour!
0:01:09 > 0:01:13Today, a call to help a not-so-cunning fox...
0:01:18 > 0:01:21The dogs rescued from terrible neglect...
0:01:22 > 0:01:26It must have been so enlightening for the dogs to get released
0:01:26 > 0:01:28from the prison that they seemed to be in.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30..and a wild duck chase.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- What are you doing with the duck? - ..for Inspector Claire Fisher.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Oi!
0:01:35 > 0:01:38I just remember thinking, "Has this really just happened?"
0:01:38 > 0:01:40He's just nicked the duck!
0:01:55 > 0:01:58In central London, a cat has come a cropper.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08Inspector Claire Dew is sent to investigate.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10- CAT WHINES - Hey!
0:02:10 > 0:02:12SHE MAKES KISSING SOUND
0:02:12 > 0:02:13CAT WHINES
0:02:15 > 0:02:17'This huge, blue Burmese cat'
0:02:17 > 0:02:20is completely splat in the bottom of this basement area,
0:02:20 > 0:02:22just miaowing pitifully.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26- CAT WHINES - That's a bit of a long way for a big fat cat to fall down!
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Well, you can't stay down there, can you?
0:02:28 > 0:02:33The cat could be injured, so Claire needs to get to it fast.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36'My initial thought is, "There's no way I can rescue this cat."'
0:02:36 > 0:02:38"I can't climb down and out again with a cat in a basket,
0:02:38 > 0:02:41"without any equipment." So, my first thought is,
0:02:41 > 0:02:43ring the fire brigade and get them to come out with a big ladder,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46which is what we would do normally on a job like this.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51This may not be a black cat, but it still seems luck is on its side.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55There were a team of tree surgeons working in the road,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58cutting down trees, so I went and asked one of them,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01"Is there any chance you could help me rescue this cat?"
0:03:01 > 0:03:03He had a look and said, "Yeah, absolutely."
0:03:03 > 0:03:07- Yeah, I'll go down there.- I can give you some heavy gloves and stuff,
0:03:07 > 0:03:09and a big towel thing to wrap it up in.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12If you're prepared to do that, then let's give it a go, yes?
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Coo-el!
0:03:14 > 0:03:17'It's not the first time I've asked people to help, but it's not often,'
0:03:17 > 0:03:21or never before, have I asked a man to abseil into a basement for me.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Cor, how exciting!
0:03:24 > 0:03:27He basically set up his abseiling equipment, and off he went!
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Thank you so mu... Ooh, finger!
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Having given the gentleman some
0:03:37 > 0:03:40advice on how to handle the cat, and what to do, he just
0:03:40 > 0:03:43went off and did his job - abseiled in there, picked the cat up...
0:03:43 > 0:03:45CAT WHINES
0:03:48 > 0:03:49That's it!
0:03:49 > 0:03:52Slam the lid down. You star!
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Absolutely!
0:03:57 > 0:03:59'He passed it up to me, and job done,'
0:03:59 > 0:04:02in less time than it would have taken to even ring the fire brigade.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05I'm not abandoning you, I'm just going to go and scan it in the van.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07I'll be back in one minute.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Claire gets a closer look, and the cat seems fine.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13So, her priority is to find the owner.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16So, I microchip-checked it in the van,
0:04:16 > 0:04:18and it was microchipped to an address very nearby.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22The cat may be local, but its name is from further afield.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Chairman Miaow!
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- SHE MAKES KISSING SOUNDS - Hey, Chairman! Miaow!
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Claire gets straight on the phone to its owner.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35This is a brilliant example of how the microchip worked immediately.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Hello! I'm currently in possession of your cat, Chairman Miaow,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43which a tree surgeon has very kindly just rescued
0:04:43 > 0:04:46from a very deep basement in Haverstock Street.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51Claire arranges to get the mischievous moggy back to its owner.
0:04:51 > 0:04:52Thank you! Bye-bye.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54It's a job well done.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58I'm really grateful. Thank you so much for your help.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- No worries. - Thank you so much.- Cheers.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04It was a more dramatic day for the tree surgeon and myself
0:05:04 > 0:05:06than the cat - it was probably quite normal for the cat.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10It didn't seem fazed at all.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18So, on this particular occasion, he kicked the dog in the mouth...
0:05:18 > 0:05:20'Yeah.'
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Last year, calls from the public
0:05:23 > 0:05:26prompted more than 150,000 investigations
0:05:26 > 0:05:28into animal cruelty and neglect.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38They can be some of the most difficult cases to deal with.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42You have to be quite hard-fronted.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45There are going to be calls where you have to think, "It's just words,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48"let's prioritise it, get it out to the officer and get it dealt with."
0:05:48 > 0:05:51There will always be a call
0:05:51 > 0:05:53which will take my breath at some point.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06I don't think I expected, when I first joined,
0:06:06 > 0:06:10to see some of the really terrible things that I've seen.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12But quite frankly, look at what we're capable of doing
0:06:12 > 0:06:15to each other - I'm no longer shocked about what we do to animals.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20The calls that knock the wind out of you and knock you for six
0:06:20 > 0:06:23are the ones that you least expect, and it can be the most
0:06:23 > 0:06:28innocent-sounding call can turn into something awful.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35In Northumberland, Inspector Trevor Walker
0:06:35 > 0:06:37has been dealing with one such case.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44We initially received a call from a member of the public,
0:06:44 > 0:06:48identifying that there appeared to be a number of dogs
0:06:48 > 0:06:50in the upstairs of the property.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53They didn't know the condition of the dogs - all they knew
0:06:53 > 0:06:56was that the dogs were there, and the dogs were barking.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03We entered the property through the kitchen door,
0:07:03 > 0:07:05and it was at that stage, when...
0:07:05 > 0:07:07we probably realised just what
0:07:07 > 0:07:10poor conditions there were inside the property.
0:07:15 > 0:07:16There was...
0:07:17 > 0:07:22..a box in the right-hand side, with a cat
0:07:22 > 0:07:25and some kittens in there.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28The cats are alive, but in poor condition.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33Trevor and his colleagues then make their way upstairs.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38There was a bed, there was just faeces, that were...
0:07:38 > 0:07:42literally glued, attached, concreted, whatever you want to say,
0:07:42 > 0:07:45they were actually fixed to the mattress.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51But the most shocking sight was still to come.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Walked into the next room -
0:07:53 > 0:07:56there was just three balls of fur...
0:07:57 > 0:07:58..two of which I thought were just...
0:08:00 > 0:08:02..lumps of fur that were probably dead.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08And I moved towards them, and they both moved -
0:08:08 > 0:08:11erm, you know, they kind of flinched back.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18The matted piles were actually Shih Tzu show dogs,
0:08:18 > 0:08:22but it was impossible to recognise them as dogs of any breed.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27You couldn't see any discernible points of...
0:08:27 > 0:08:33noses, eyes, ears, feet, tails - there was nothing there.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Instead of them being tiny Shih Tzus
0:08:39 > 0:08:41that are probably a foot long and maybe a foot high,
0:08:41 > 0:08:46the coats actually probably stretched for maybe four or five feet.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50And I can truthfully say that this is the most
0:08:50 > 0:08:54depressing sight I have ever seen.
0:08:54 > 0:08:59And I've seen some fairly horrendous situations.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09It was clear all the animals needed emergency help,
0:09:09 > 0:09:11and they were rushed to a local veterinary practice.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16The staff there were shocked by what they saw.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Exhibit number TVW/1 -
0:09:19 > 0:09:23we believe she is a female Shih Tzu called Holly.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26The dogs needed treatment,
0:09:26 > 0:09:30but they were also now evidence in a criminal case.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32This dog is TJW/4.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37We believe she is a five-year-old female Shih Tzu called Lacey.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43We've got no idea how long it has taken
0:09:43 > 0:09:45for the coats to get to this condition.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53It is truly distressing to see - to see dogs that must have...
0:09:54 > 0:09:57..been in this situation for literally
0:09:57 > 0:10:00months and months and months and months.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05It would have restricted their ability to move,
0:10:05 > 0:10:09to hear, see, smell, taste.
0:10:13 > 0:10:14Horrendous.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18It's like being buried alive.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27In court, the owner of the dogs, seen here with her solicitor,
0:10:27 > 0:10:29admitted causing suffering and neglect.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34She was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, suspended,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37and was banned from keeping animals for life.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42It's been an absolutely excellent result.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45This lady has now received a disqualification
0:10:45 > 0:10:47for the rest of her life.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50And this will obviously help animal welfare,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53and prevent any animals being inside her property
0:10:53 > 0:10:55and being neglected again.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Removed from her care, the road to recovery
0:10:59 > 0:11:01for all of the dogs got under way immediately.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13Under anaesthetic, the vet team began to remove the dogs' fur.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18We are currently working on his ear, which appears to have been
0:11:18 > 0:11:22folded in on itself, with all the hair which was attached to it.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25This is the hair that was attached to the ear.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30The first few clips of the hair
0:11:30 > 0:11:33that was hanging round the front of the faces...
0:11:33 > 0:11:36Just for them to be able to hear...
0:11:38 > 0:11:41It must have been so enlightening for the dogs to actually get released
0:11:41 > 0:11:44from the prison that they seemed to be in.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47This is what came off the right forefoot.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Each one has its own bag of fur, that was removed from the dog,
0:11:56 > 0:12:02and this is like the equivalent of a 20 kilo sack of dog food.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11Amazingly, under the fur, the dogs were in remarkably good condition.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19This is Angus, after we have finished clipping him off.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27To be rescued, and have that problem removed
0:12:27 > 0:12:31must have been literally a new lease of life.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36And now, all three, including Molly here,
0:12:36 > 0:12:38have new, caring homes.
0:12:38 > 0:12:39Good girl!
0:12:41 > 0:12:44And Molly is even an award-winning show dog.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Best in Show.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48That's you!
0:12:48 > 0:12:50The Best Rescue Dog.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53How many badges can you get? How many?
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Thankfully, the filthy prison Molly escaped from
0:12:59 > 0:13:02has been replaced by regular walks in the great outdoors.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04There she goes!
0:13:06 > 0:13:09When we take her into the wood, you get a sense
0:13:09 > 0:13:12that she's completely bombarded by
0:13:12 > 0:13:15the, you know, the sensory experience that she has.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Clever girl - go on, then, play!
0:13:20 > 0:13:25It's nice to be able to be in a horribly distressing case
0:13:25 > 0:13:30that ends so well, with three tiny, tiny toy dogs
0:13:30 > 0:13:34being re-homed in really nice locations.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38So, from a personal point of view, it's really, really fulfilling,
0:13:38 > 0:13:40and very pleasing.
0:13:46 > 0:13:47Dealing with the unexpected
0:13:47 > 0:13:51is second nature to RSPCA inspectors.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55But even 10 years on the job hasn't prepared Claire Fisher
0:13:55 > 0:13:57for what's in store today.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00It was one of those jobs where we just needed Benny Hill music.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03And then that would have been the perfect set-up.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08It was like a joke, it really was.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Claire's on her way to a terraced house in Liverpool,
0:14:11 > 0:14:14but she's not looking for a regular pet.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38It's the kind of job that you get, that you think,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41"Duck? In a yard? Really?"
0:14:42 > 0:14:46This is not the kind of area that I would expect there to be a duck.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50We shall see.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55Frustratingly, there's no-one home.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59But Claire doesn't want to leave
0:14:59 > 0:15:02till she has got to the bottom of the call.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07I'm not happy until I see a duck, and how it's living - I'm not happy.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13Undeterred, Claire perseveres.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15I've just found that the alley gate is open,
0:15:15 > 0:15:17so I'm going to go and have a nosey.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23We have to be a little persistent at time, erm...
0:15:23 > 0:15:28sneaky, even - whichever way I can get to see that animal
0:15:28 > 0:15:29is going to happen,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32because I have to see it's being kept in the right way.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37I was a little sort of, erm, hesitant
0:15:37 > 0:15:40about what I was going to find, if anything -
0:15:40 > 0:15:44and that's when, I don't know, all hell broke loose!
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Oi!
0:15:47 > 0:15:49What are you doing with the duck?
0:15:49 > 0:15:55A youth was running down the alley with the duck flapping everywhere.
0:15:56 > 0:15:57Oi!
0:15:57 > 0:15:59And I just remember thinking,
0:15:59 > 0:16:01"Really? Has this really just happened?"
0:16:01 > 0:16:03He's just nicked the duck!
0:16:04 > 0:16:07That little lad has just robbed the duck.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12The boy and the duck have disappeared into one of the yards.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15Come on, then, clever!
0:16:16 > 0:16:20I will find that duck. You need to just come out now and show me it.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Mate, you can't just nick somebody's duck.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30I mean, this whole thing's just a joke!
0:16:32 > 0:16:36The lad ran off - I can't find which house he's gone into.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39So, I figured, while I'm in the alleyway,
0:16:39 > 0:16:41I'm going to have a quick look in the yard,
0:16:41 > 0:16:43and see where this duck was being kept.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48It's not a pretty sight.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51The first thing I can see is the water area,
0:16:51 > 0:16:52like a little pool area for the duck.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56Not the nicest. Technically, it's got a pond,
0:16:56 > 0:16:58but it's dirty, there's rubbish in it.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01It's minging, basically. You know, there's a chair in it.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04If I was a duck, I wouldn't want to go in that.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09You know, foxes, cats - it's just not secure.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12The way it was being kept, as it was,
0:17:12 > 0:17:14it just wasn't suitable.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17The living conditions are bad, but more importantly,
0:17:17 > 0:17:19the duck is still missing.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Once I'd left the yard, there was another local lad...
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- I've just spoke... - Who's got the duck?
0:17:26 > 0:17:30He's got a hoodie on, so tight around his face,
0:17:30 > 0:17:32he looks like a little Eskimo.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34He went in their yard and legged it with the duck...
0:17:34 > 0:17:36- Two of them, yeah. - Have they taken two ducks?
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Yeah, two ducks were in there!
0:17:38 > 0:17:40The man claims to know the whereabouts
0:17:40 > 0:17:42of not one, but two ducks.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Ducks - multiple. I just thought there was one, but there were two.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49And I'm thinking, a) who are you?
0:17:49 > 0:17:51And b) where on earth are the ducks?
0:17:51 > 0:17:53The witness claims the duck owner
0:17:53 > 0:17:55is keen for Claire to take the ducks away.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59But Claire can't do this without the absent owner's consent.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02I need a signature. I'm more than hap...
0:18:02 > 0:18:04She really...
0:18:04 > 0:18:07But who are you...? Yeah, but who are you to her?
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Are you a friend? Her cousin?
0:18:09 > 0:18:12He wasn't in a position to give me a signature, as a cousin.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14So, the best next thing was,
0:18:14 > 0:18:18get this girl on the phone, and I want to speak to her on the phone.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21I at least want a verbal that she will give me these ducks,
0:18:21 > 0:18:22and that she doesn't want them.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24Who's the lad that ran off with them?
0:18:26 > 0:18:28But why did he run off?!
0:18:31 > 0:18:35The duck-snatchers, it seems, were trying to help the owner.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37This is just...nuts.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41Claire is led to the place where the man says they're being kept.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Did you know who that lad was, that ran off with them?
0:18:48 > 0:18:50It was you, wasn't it?
0:18:50 > 0:18:52THEY ALL LAUGH
0:18:54 > 0:18:57You probably stressed it out more running it down that alley.
0:18:57 > 0:18:58You have.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Eventually, Claire gets hold of the duck owner.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03Hello...?
0:19:03 > 0:19:05On the phone, the owner advised that
0:19:05 > 0:19:08it was actually her partner that had got the ducks.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11He'd left, and she didn't know what to do with them.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14She was in fact more than happy for me to take them
0:19:14 > 0:19:16and find them a new home.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20With the owner's consent, Claire can now retrieve the ducks
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- from where they're being kept...- Do you want to show us where they are?
0:19:23 > 0:19:26I've then gone into this guy's house -
0:19:26 > 0:19:28the man who's claiming to be a cousin...
0:19:28 > 0:19:30Hello!
0:19:30 > 0:19:34..and there are two ducks... on the carpet, in this bedroom.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41So, I just think, "Just get the ducks, and just...go."
0:19:41 > 0:19:45Hands full, Claire heads for her vehicle.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48There was a fleeting thought in my mind, of...
0:19:48 > 0:19:50How I'm going to get my keys out of my pocket, I've no idea!
0:19:56 > 0:19:58I'm not that soft!
0:19:58 > 0:19:59< CHUCKLES
0:20:00 > 0:20:04And with Claire off the scene, the duck-owner's "cousin" comes clean.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07To be honest, I'm only a friend of hers, I'm not a cousin or nothing.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10But I'm not going to tell them that, am I?
0:20:11 > 0:20:14Think they're grasses, to be honest, for taking ducks off kids,
0:20:14 > 0:20:16know what I'm saying? They were kids' pets, like.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18It's wrong, what they've done, taking ducks off them,
0:20:18 > 0:20:21but I was going to cook them, so I'm even worse, aren't I?
0:20:24 > 0:20:25I was going to keep them and cook them,
0:20:25 > 0:20:27and have duck - duck and pancakes!
0:20:30 > 0:20:33But to Claire, this job has been no laughing matter.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36It obviously sends out a bit of a serious welfare issue.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39I'm feeling both of them - granted I've only got one hand on each,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42at the minute, but I can feel that they're both underweight.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Erm, they're not a normal pet,
0:20:44 > 0:20:46and I wouldn't advise anyone to get them
0:20:46 > 0:20:48unless you really know what you're doing.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51OK, we'll take you to the vet's and get you checked over.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55Who was he calling soft girl? "How are you going to open your van?"
0:20:57 > 0:20:58Once I got those ducks in my van,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01and I knew I was on my way to the vet's,
0:21:01 > 0:21:03I was just relived, to be honest.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05Thanks for the runaround.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09- Thank you very much. - < Pleasure.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Concerned for their health,
0:21:11 > 0:21:14Claire takes the ducks for an immediate check-up...
0:21:14 > 0:21:15- Hey!- Hi!
0:21:15 > 0:21:17..with vet Alan Humphreys.
0:21:17 > 0:21:23These were in a... back yard in Liverpool...
0:21:23 > 0:21:26The vet was, erm, fairly happy with their condition.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29Eyes are nice and clear - there's no discharge from that.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31No bruising to the beak.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Feel down the neck, let's feel the crop...
0:21:34 > 0:21:36DUCKS QUACK Can't feel much here,
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- so I think they could do with some food.- OK...
0:21:38 > 0:21:42He did agree that they were underweight, they need feeding up.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- That can be re-homed.- OK, fabulous.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48After a rest and a good feed and drink,
0:21:48 > 0:21:52the two rescued ducks can look forward to a new, safe home.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54Come on, then, girls!
0:21:55 > 0:21:59I know two people who own ducks.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01They are both vet nurses,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04they know ducks inside and out -
0:22:04 > 0:22:07that's the kind of person that should be owning a duck.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10When did you last have clean water? Oh, God bless them!
0:22:12 > 0:22:14I'll leave them here for tonight,
0:22:14 > 0:22:17and...sort them out in the next couple of days.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23FOX CALLS
0:22:23 > 0:22:26Every neighbourhood in Britain has its resident urban fox.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31Their nocturnal habits mean we rarely see them...
0:22:31 > 0:22:34- FOX CALLS - ..except when they're in trouble.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45And what animals are you calling about today?
0:22:45 > 0:22:47What's your concern with the fox?
0:22:52 > 0:22:56Some people may consider them a menace, but when they're in trouble,
0:22:56 > 0:22:59the RSPCA treat them just like any other animals.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03Urban foxes are all over the place.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07They're coming more and more into our spaces, looking for food,
0:23:07 > 0:23:09and they're getting hurt more.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13In Inspector Jaqui Miller's patch, in the north-east,
0:23:13 > 0:23:15urban foxes are thriving.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Today, she's on her way to one that needs help.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41- It's in there - one of the lads went in...- Yeah?
0:23:41 > 0:23:43..and it was sitting on the seat.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Had to be in the biggest one possible, didn't it?
0:23:45 > 0:23:48I think it had just gone in there to hide,
0:23:48 > 0:23:52because it had some injuries and was feeling slightly unwell.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56It's in there, it's alert, it's lying on the ground.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59Erm... I've got a feeling it's probably
0:23:59 > 0:24:01going to give me a bit of a runaround.
0:24:01 > 0:24:06I don't think it's as... collapsed as what they think it is.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09It would have been scared, it would have been wary,
0:24:09 > 0:24:10and it's fight or flight.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Erm, do I give in, and just go with the flow,
0:24:13 > 0:24:16or do I try and fight, and do a runner?
0:24:17 > 0:24:20Jaqui approaches the fox slowly.
0:24:20 > 0:24:21It's all right, sweetie...
0:24:21 > 0:24:23Any sudden moves, and it could run.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25It's all right, it's all right...
0:24:28 > 0:24:31From the fox's point of view, it's more scared of us
0:24:31 > 0:24:33than I am scared of it.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Just a minute - watch the door...?
0:24:36 > 0:24:38It's all right, sweetie.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41Do you want to bring it up towards the fox? It's not going anywhere.
0:24:42 > 0:24:43Come on!
0:24:48 > 0:24:52With the fox contained, Jaqui can get a closer look at its wounds.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Right, use the sides, not the...
0:24:57 > 0:25:00It was perfectly alert and active,
0:25:00 > 0:25:02erm, except some injuries on its front left leg.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05It had a small wound here, on its muzzle,
0:25:05 > 0:25:07that I could see at that point.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11Erm, obviously aware of all these people looking at it,
0:25:11 > 0:25:14and what was going on around it, it would have been scared.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17I'm going to get the vet to have a look at it,
0:25:17 > 0:25:20and then maybe with just some minor emergency treatment,
0:25:20 > 0:25:22we can release her back to site.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32But the fox's fate will rest on the vet's assessment.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38When we actually got the fox out, and the vet got a good look at it,
0:25:38 > 0:25:43she was concerned that it might actually be a fractured jaw.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47If it is broken, then...
0:25:47 > 0:25:49she's not going to...
0:25:49 > 0:25:52It's not fair to put her back out if she's not going to survive.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55No - she's not going to be able to eat properly if it's broken, so...
0:25:55 > 0:25:59It's a wild animal. If it hasn't got its jaw working correctly,
0:25:59 > 0:26:02it can't hunt and it can't feed.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05So that, based on what the vet was presented with,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08she might have had to make the decision to put that animal to sleep.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11I'll just need to have a feel of her...of this bit.
0:26:11 > 0:26:16Lisa the vet sedates the fox so she can examine it properly.
0:26:18 > 0:26:23Worst case scenario is, she'll not be woken up, she'll be put to sleep.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27You know, it's not nice, but it's better than her suffering,
0:26:27 > 0:26:29and, you know, starving.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35It looks like the fox has been bitten, probably by a dog,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38but luckily, it doesn't seem serious.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41There's a fairly deep bite wound there,
0:26:41 > 0:26:43but the jaw bone seems to be intact.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46Thankfully, she had a good look,
0:26:46 > 0:26:49and it just actually turned out to be quite a superficial wound.
0:26:49 > 0:26:54Her jaw's normal. It's just the wound, and that just needs to heal.
0:26:54 > 0:26:55There should be no reason
0:26:55 > 0:26:58why she can't fend for herself and eat and stuff.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05The vet herself, as far as she was concerned,
0:27:05 > 0:27:08as long as it had had its antibiotics and it had had its pain relief,
0:27:08 > 0:27:12it could be released back out into the wild, and it would be fine.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22An hour later, and back near the timber yard,
0:27:22 > 0:27:24the fox is ready to go home.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28We released her that afternoon.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31It was really, really nice to see,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34because you don't get to see it that often, with wildlife.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40It took her a few seconds to find herself,
0:27:40 > 0:27:42and figure out where she was...
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Come on, then, sweetie! Let's give her a bit of encouragement.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50But eventually, she did. She just hopped out...
0:27:50 > 0:27:52And we're off!
0:27:53 > 0:27:55She ran out under the bridge,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58and it was...it was just too perfect.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06It just confirms why I do it - little things like that.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09I can have 100 bad days if I've got one good one like that.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd