0:00:02 > 0:00:04Good afternoon, RSPCA Control Centre.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06What animal is your call regarding today?
0:00:06 > 0:00:11In the UK, someone calls the RSPCA every 30 seconds.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Exactly what did you see?
0:00:13 > 0:00:15So they're left outside in all weathers
0:00:15 > 0:00:17and they've got no bedding or shelter from the rain.
0:00:17 > 0:00:2124 hours a day, 365 days a year.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24I don't want you to go too close to it because swans can be very,
0:00:24 > 0:00:25very dangerous.
0:00:25 > 0:00:29When an animal needs help, the emergency line is open.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31Do you know something, I've had non-stop calls for the past hour.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33All right, take care, bye-bye.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Got a bit of a rough throat now.
0:00:38 > 0:00:39It's cos I don't shut up.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Filming as the calls come in...
0:00:45 > 0:00:48And when inspectors respond on the ground...
0:00:48 > 0:00:51I'll pass this information through to the officer.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55So close!
0:00:55 > 0:00:58..rescuing everything from injured wildlife
0:00:58 > 0:01:00to neglected pets...
0:01:02 > 0:01:04..every shift is a challenge.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Rhea one, RSPCA nil.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09There's no such thing as a typical day as an RSPCA inspector.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13Get... Oh, my Lord!
0:01:13 > 0:01:15We never know what we're going to deal with.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17No two days are the same.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19- You're keeping a dog out there, it's disgusting.- Whoa there!
0:01:19 > 0:01:23At times you feel like you're banging your head against a brick wall.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25It's dirty, sweaty...
0:01:25 > 0:01:28It stuns me sometimes, the smells that I come across.
0:01:28 > 0:01:29Sorry.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31There's not a lot of glamour in my role.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35But even if you've just helped one animal...
0:01:35 > 0:01:36Hey, mate.
0:01:36 > 0:01:37..it's worth it.
0:01:48 > 0:01:54Today, amazing Grace the rescued dog who's made a remarkable recovery.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00The rescue mission to two terrified swans.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06And inspector Keith Hogben fights to remove a dog
0:02:06 > 0:02:07living in shocking conditions.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11I wouldn't have been doing my job properly if I'd left the dog there.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18Animals that need help turn up in all sorts of places.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22The inspectors don't get to choose where the job takes them.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28And that means they get into some unusual
0:02:28 > 0:02:30and often unpleasant situations.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34There's all maggots crawling round in the bedding.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36Our job is not remotely glamorous.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39You're generally going to come home smelling.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41Yeah, it's generally pretty disgusting.
0:02:41 > 0:02:42We have piggies!
0:02:42 > 0:02:45I still think people think it's a nicey-nice job. And it's not.
0:02:45 > 0:02:46It's horrible.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Half the time you go home and throw everything in the washing machine.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57It's not often I'm lost for words. But I am now.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Today, inspector Jayne Bashford is on her way to a call about cats
0:03:04 > 0:03:07reported to be living in appalling conditions.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26Jayne is joining Staffordshire Police to execute a warrant
0:03:26 > 0:03:28to get into the house.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Three cats have been seen inside the property in filthy conditions.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34We could do with getting in there, really, to find out what's
0:03:34 > 0:03:37going on and assess whether there's any suffering at the moment.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40It's a strange mix of emotions on the morning.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43It was excitement that we could get in there, and also,
0:03:43 > 0:03:45you can't forget that there's
0:03:45 > 0:03:48potentially a person living in there.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50Is that person OK?
0:03:53 > 0:03:56You can't even see in there, it's condensed up, isn't it?
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Ah, there we are, there's a torty cat.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04And there's another one eating food in there as well.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07So that's at least two.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11There was no exit point for any of the animals in that property.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14All the windows were shut, and there were no cat flaps visible.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17The police officers formed the opinion that they
0:04:17 > 0:04:19would need to force the door to gain entry.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28It soon becomes clear that there's no-one home.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33That is really, really, really vile.
0:04:35 > 0:04:36Good Lord.
0:04:38 > 0:04:39Sorry.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42I know it sounds like a cliche,
0:04:42 > 0:04:47but seriously, I'd never smelt that level of, um,
0:04:47 > 0:04:49squalor
0:04:49 > 0:04:52just from opening a front door.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54I mean, we haven't even entered the property yet.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57And that is literally what they've been living in.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01Really not looking forward to that, I have to say.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05We're issued with a full-face respirator mask,
0:05:05 > 0:05:09I've never had to use that, to date.
0:05:09 > 0:05:10Beautiful.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13I personally didn't want to take any chances
0:05:13 > 0:05:17in terms of what could be in the air in that property.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22Kitted up to deal with the worst the house has to offer,
0:05:22 > 0:05:26Jayne and vet Steve Odell can finally get inside.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30Oh, my life!
0:05:30 > 0:05:34The floor is just a porridge of mashed-up paper,
0:05:34 > 0:05:36urine and faeces.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43You can't actually walk without treading on stuff.
0:05:43 > 0:05:44My goodness me.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Jayne thought there were at least three cats inside,
0:05:50 > 0:05:52but it's quickly clear there are far more.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59There were lots of cats inside that house.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06You could hear wheezing, coughing. You could see that they were
0:06:06 > 0:06:11all infested with fleas - they were scratching very, very heavily.
0:06:13 > 0:06:18You can see marks on the inside of the window where cats have
0:06:18 > 0:06:21been clawing at some point.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24I certainly don't think that it's ridiculous
0:06:24 > 0:06:27to describe that house
0:06:27 > 0:06:30as a house of horrors for those animals.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35I'm a bit speechless, really.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40Is it reasonable to keep...for an owner to keep a cat or cats in...
0:06:40 > 0:06:44- In that.- ..in that environment? And the answer to that is no.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46- It's just...- I know.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52My concern, obviously, is the animals,
0:06:52 > 0:06:54but it's also sad to think that there's a human being living in
0:06:54 > 0:06:59there. I haven't found anywhere that somebody could actually lie down.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01Haven't even... At this moment in time,
0:07:01 > 0:07:04I haven't seen anywhere that somebody could sit down
0:07:04 > 0:07:05in that property.
0:07:05 > 0:07:10Vet Steven decides that all the cats need to be removed from the house.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Right, let me make some phone calls.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15But with so many animals to deal with,
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Jayne calls for reinforcements.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21I'm really not exaggerating, if you've got a respirator, wear
0:07:21 > 0:07:25a respirator, wear eye protection, wear everything you possibly can.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27You know what you've got to do.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31You want to do it as quickly and efficiently as you can,
0:07:31 > 0:07:35because nobody wants to be working in those conditions for any
0:07:35 > 0:07:37longer than you possibly have to.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43Within minutes, eight cats are brought out of the house.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49It then became a bit of a nightmare situation to try
0:07:49 > 0:07:52and round up all the cats in that property.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55In the back bedroom,
0:07:55 > 0:07:57there's a single divan bed with a drawer missing.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01They've counted a further 11 cats just in that drawer.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03It's going to be a long one.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Over the next two hours, the numbers keep rising.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Oh, you guys are awesome.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15I'm surrounded by a sea of cats.
0:08:15 > 0:08:20The team removes a staggering 26 cats from the house.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24Jayne's next job is to get them
0:08:24 > 0:08:26all to the vets to be thoroughly checked over.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38Black and white, domestic short-haired.
0:08:40 > 0:08:41Live fleas.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45Every single cat was riddled with fleas.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Oh, I know, darling.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51They all had ear problems.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Would've normally noticed the smell of that, but of course,
0:08:57 > 0:09:01in a house that is as filthy and as smelly as the one we've just
0:09:01 > 0:09:04been in, there's no way on this earth you could sort of smell that.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06That's just horrible.
0:09:09 > 0:09:14Jayne will be investigating why the cats were left in this condition.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Come here, big boy.
0:09:16 > 0:09:17So for now, they'll be treated
0:09:17 > 0:09:20and looked after in a local animal centre.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27It's that feeling of satisfaction that there are 26 animals
0:09:27 > 0:09:29that are no longer in that environment and you can sit
0:09:29 > 0:09:32down at the end of the day with a cup of tea and think, "Yeah, OK.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35"That's good, that's a good day's work. That'll do for me."
0:09:44 > 0:09:48Rescuing animals from human neglect is just one part of an RSPCA
0:09:48 > 0:09:50inspector's job.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53They're often just as busy freeing animals from trouble
0:09:53 > 0:09:55of their own making.
0:09:58 > 0:09:59Take our next call.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04Two lovebirds have become separated on a building site in Lancashire.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08They can't get out to be reunited,
0:10:08 > 0:10:10and their separation is causing upset.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14Swans will pair up for life,
0:10:14 > 0:10:16so obviously they always want to be with each other.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19They do get distressed when they're separated.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21As in this case.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23They could hear each other, they were calling to each other.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27But obviously couldn't see each other, due to the high sides.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31They've already been rescued from the building site
0:10:31 > 0:10:35once before by animal welfare officer Nick Green.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Unfortunately, they've obviously come back and gone straight back
0:10:38 > 0:10:41in there, not realising that they're going to get trapped in there.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46It's a job for the water rescue team.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48We've got the first swan in here.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Second swan's in the larger pool.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53But if we start with this one, everyone all right with that?
0:10:53 > 0:10:55OK, cool. Let's go.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58But with a ten-foot drop to get into the pits,
0:10:58 > 0:11:02Nick also needs to ring the fire brigade for help.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Hi, right, it's Nick calling from the RSPCA.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Just wondering if we could have your assistance on a job
0:11:07 > 0:11:08we're on at the moment.
0:11:08 > 0:11:13The team get kitted out for what will be a precarious rescue.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20They are very large pits, very deep. Lots of hazards in there.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22You could see that just by looking at them,
0:11:22 > 0:11:24you could see bits of metal sticking out.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27They obviously felt safe in there, but to sort of us,
0:11:27 > 0:11:29it was just not suitable long-term for them.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35The pits may be contaminated, so they need full dry suits
0:11:35 > 0:11:37and kit to help catch the birds.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41I've got swan bags, yeah. I've got a swan hook as well.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47We've got one in that side, we've got one in this side.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52The fire brigade arrive and secure ladders down to the first pit.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55So just be really careful.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03In the water, there was hazards basically everywhere.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06Every time you took a step, you could feel something.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10There is a hard bottom, but underfoot, is very difficult.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13There's a lot of mud, as well, which made it very hard to walk in it.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17Just take a step forward, Nick, I'll come the other side of you.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19The rescue team needs to move slowly,
0:12:19 > 0:12:21as they can't be sure what's underfoot.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Using their swan hooks to guide them,
0:12:25 > 0:12:27they make their way across the pit.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34The idea was to corral the first swan into the corner,
0:12:34 > 0:12:36just to limit its movement.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45What we don't want to be doing is chasing them round
0:12:45 > 0:12:47for a long time, stressing them out.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51As Nick gets close, the swan makes an unexpected bid for freedom,
0:12:55 > 0:12:57but Nick gets it with the swan hook.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03Come on, Nick, OK?
0:13:03 > 0:13:07With a firm hold, Nick carefully makes his way back to the bank.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19The swan's placed in a bag, and quickly winched to dry land.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Once we'd rescued the first one, we came out,
0:13:29 > 0:13:34just gave that a quick check over and make sure it was OK, which it was.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37The first swan is safe.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Now the team need to catch its mate.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Who's looking like a far trickier customer.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48Nick, Nick, just cut across.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52They clearly don't understand we're trying to help them.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55They think we're trying to hurt them.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00They use the rope to corral the swan into a corner.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02That'll do ya.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08But it's so scared, it dives for cover behind some fallen branches.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Oh, don't do that. Hang on, Nick, hang on, hang on.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Let's get this out of the way. So, hold the pole.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Worried the bird will hurt itself, one of the team makes a move.
0:14:19 > 0:14:20Sh, sh, sh!
0:14:23 > 0:14:24HE SIGHS
0:14:24 > 0:14:28Once they've got a firm hold of it, the swan's put in a bag
0:14:28 > 0:14:29and lifted to safety.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34The job went perfectly.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37The birds were caught very quickly, as least stress as possible.
0:14:37 > 0:14:38Nobody was injured.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42With the swans safely in the back of his van,
0:14:42 > 0:14:47Nick bids what he hopes will be a final farewell to the building site.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00The swans' new home is a secluded canal nearby.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03Popular with other swans.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07I think what I'll do is go down here.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09That for me is the best part of the job.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Actually going through the whole process of a job,
0:15:11 > 0:15:13rescuing them and releasing them,
0:15:13 > 0:15:16you can physically see that the animals are a lot happier.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22The first bird is quick to get into the water.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27And after a slightly undignified entry...
0:15:30 > 0:15:32..the swans are finally reunited.
0:15:34 > 0:15:39That went brilliantly. They're happy, so obviously I'm happy.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42And you can see they're going off together, happy as Larry,
0:15:42 > 0:15:43so, that's a great job all round.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48Hopefully, this time these two intrepid travellers will stay put.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50If they go back again, we may have to get them out again.
0:15:50 > 0:15:51I don't think they will.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53I think they've learnt their lesson.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55So, hopefully, they'll stay on this nice canal,
0:15:55 > 0:15:56and not go back in that way.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Animals being kept outside in bad conditions
0:16:08 > 0:16:12are sadly common calls for the RSPCA.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18In South Wales, inspector Keith Hogben is on his way
0:16:18 > 0:16:21to his latest call, about a dog in a back yard.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25Apparently, it's just living in hazardous conditions.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28There's loads of building materials, all over the garden.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30They're saying it hasn't got any shelter.
0:16:30 > 0:16:31It's never let in the house.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35So, we'll go and have a little look and see what we find.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42It doesn't take Keith long to find a property
0:16:42 > 0:16:44that fits the caller's description.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Just looking over the back here, there is a garden here
0:16:46 > 0:16:51that's full of hazards, so to speak.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54It's probably worse than I had imagined.
0:16:58 > 0:16:59DOG BARKS
0:16:59 > 0:17:01Living amongst this was this little,
0:17:01 > 0:17:04tricoloured, collie-type crossbreed dog.
0:17:04 > 0:17:05DOG BARKS
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Hello, you! Hello, darling!
0:17:07 > 0:17:11What are you doing out here? Eh?
0:17:11 > 0:17:12DARK BARKS
0:17:12 > 0:17:14The dog was nice, alert and active.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16And seemed happy enough,
0:17:16 > 0:17:21but the conditions he was living in was far from ideal.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23There was metal, glass
0:17:23 > 0:17:26that the animal could have injured itself on.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28He's literally only a couple of feet away from a...a rusty nail
0:17:28 > 0:17:31sticking out from a piece of wood.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33No animal should have to live like this.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35This is disgusting.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37HE CLICKS TONGUE
0:17:37 > 0:17:41And the dog may need urgent medical attention.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43Dog's got quite a lot of hair loss.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47I've just noticed its claws are quite overgrown as well.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49DOG BARKS
0:17:49 > 0:17:51It had quite a few lumps and bumps on it,
0:17:51 > 0:17:55and what I believe, one of them was weeping, like a wound.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59Keith goes round to the front of the house to try and speak to the owner.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02I really want the vet to have a look at that dog now.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05So, we...we'll see what they say.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Erm, see how their attitude is as well.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Her son answers the door.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14I've had a call about your dog, out the back.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17I've had a complaint about how the dog's being kept, you see.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21And Keith wants to speak to his mum on the phone.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24I've had a call about your dog,
0:18:24 > 0:18:26and how he's being kept out the back.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31Yeah, well, perhaps, I beg to differ with you there,
0:18:31 > 0:18:33whether it's safe for him outside.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36Going by the state of the garden etc.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40Keith goes through the house to get a closer look at the back yard.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Ringo! Hello, darling.
0:18:43 > 0:18:44And the dog Ringo.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49Hello, sweetheart. I'm not going to hurt you.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53I'm hoping the gentleman's going to sign him over to the RSPCA.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55He's just speaking to his mum on the phone at the moment.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58And at least we can get Ringo
0:18:58 > 0:19:03out of this disgusting situation he's being kept in.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Keith thinks the conditions are so bad
0:19:07 > 0:19:10that the only solution is for the family to sign Ringo over.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12Very nervous, aren't you?
0:19:13 > 0:19:17We're all pretty fair people, RSPCA inspectors, you know?
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Where there's a failure in duty of care,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22you try to work with the owners to put it right.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26But I felt in this occasion, things had gone too far.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30I wouldn't have been doing my job properly
0:19:30 > 0:19:31if I had left the dog there.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37The family agrees it would be best to allow Keith to take Ringo.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39- HE SHOUTS - The dog is not fine, sir.
0:19:39 > 0:19:40But a family friend has other ideas.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Sir! I appreciate that, but you're keeping a dog out there.
0:19:43 > 0:19:44That's disgusting!
0:19:46 > 0:19:49Obviously, the young lad was quick to point out
0:19:49 > 0:19:51why the dog was living out the back.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54The house was in a... Being renovated.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57There was lots of building work going inside the house.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01And this was their justification for keeping the dog outside.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03It was no excuse really.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08With Ringo now in the care of the RSPCA,
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Keith wants to get him to the vets.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13I've got Ringo now.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16I'm really pleased the dog came away with us when it did. Yeah.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19You never know, that night he could have injured himself,
0:20:19 > 0:20:20or the following day...
0:20:20 > 0:20:21You just don't know.
0:20:21 > 0:20:26So, I'm pleased we removed the dog from its predicament.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28Come on then.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33OK, darling. Whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35Gently going to lift you.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37There we are, darling.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40There's a nice soft bed for you to lie on.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48At the vets, Ringo undergoes a thorough examination.
0:20:48 > 0:20:49It's all right, darling.
0:20:52 > 0:20:57He has painful growths on his legs, fur loss, and overgrown claws.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00Should this dog have seen a vet
0:21:00 > 0:21:01sooner than we brought it to you today?
0:21:05 > 0:21:09The vet concluded that the dog had been caused unnecessary suffering,
0:21:09 > 0:21:11and hence I would go back to the property
0:21:11 > 0:21:14and carry out a full investigation.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17But when Keith returns to the family's house,
0:21:17 > 0:21:21he gets some perspective on why it's been difficult to care for the dog.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25It turns out the family, in the last 18 months,
0:21:25 > 0:21:27have had three close family members pass away.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31So, there was shocking circumstances,
0:21:31 > 0:21:35why, perhaps the dog had been left in these conditions.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37I'm pleased to say that, you know,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39we're not pursuing a course of prosecution
0:21:39 > 0:21:42because these people need a break.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44Come on, then, in this one.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46We've got to act with compassion
0:21:46 > 0:21:48as well as, perhaps, have our hard hat on sometimes.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52Erm, you got to...you got to look at all aspects of a job
0:21:52 > 0:21:54and take that into consideration.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58Ho-ho-ho! That's it.
0:21:58 > 0:21:59Oh, nice.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Ringo is now fit and well, and ready to be rehomed.
0:22:10 > 0:22:16Every year, the RSPCA finds new homes for around 11,000 dogs.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Many have been neglected,
0:22:21 > 0:22:25but occasionally cases will come along that shock everyone involved.
0:22:25 > 0:22:26Grace.
0:22:28 > 0:22:29Good girl.
0:22:29 > 0:22:30This is Grace.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33All done. All done!
0:22:33 > 0:22:37Today, she's enjoying life with a new owner and canine companion.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41But three months ago, she was on the brink of death.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14When Leeds inspector Sally Bamforth arrived at the call,
0:23:14 > 0:23:16she couldn't believe what she saw.
0:23:22 > 0:23:23I was absolutely horrified.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27I'd never seen a dog in such a poor condition,
0:23:27 > 0:23:29in my entire career with the RSPCA.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35She was literally a complete skeleton.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39I'd never seen such a thin dog that was still alive.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Her body was just covered in sores.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43It was just in an absolute, terrible state.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52Sally rushed to the vets, and with emergency medication,
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Grace made it through the night.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59Without a doubt the people that called saved her life.
0:24:00 > 0:24:05Two weeks after Grace was picked up, Sally is back to see her.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09Grace has been kept in isolation at a local boarding kennel,
0:24:09 > 0:24:13because she was suffering from a number of infectious illnesses.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15Aw, good girl.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19The one thing I think which, like I say, was her saving grace,
0:24:19 > 0:24:21was that she had a very good appetite.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24I think they were quite surprised because she was so unresponsive
0:24:24 > 0:24:26in every other respect.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29But with her condition improving, it's time to take her to the vets,
0:24:29 > 0:24:31to assess her progress.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35I was absolutely delighted when I saw her,
0:24:35 > 0:24:39cos I saw such an improvement already in that short space of time.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41Come on, sweetheart.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45When we took her for the follow-up vet appointment, she was walking,
0:24:45 > 0:24:46she was looking around.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Although she still looked really bad,
0:24:48 > 0:24:51I could really start feeling some hope that she was going to recover.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53Let's have a listen.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55All right.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Grace needs a thorough examination from vet Laura
0:24:58 > 0:25:00to assess her condition.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03Her heart sounds fine, so that's good.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05- Her ribs, they're just not as prominent as they were...- No.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07..so even though she still looks really thin,
0:25:07 > 0:25:09she is a lot better than she was.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11Things have certainly improved.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13She's still quite scabby,
0:25:13 > 0:25:16and this bit just looks a bit infected still, here.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20But some parts of her body still need time to recover.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22Right there. Look at her tail. That's horrible.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24I know.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27But it's Grace's weight which will be a key factor
0:25:27 > 0:25:30in determining how quickly she can be rehomed.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32How much was she when we first came in? It was 11...
0:25:32 > 0:25:3411.2 when she first came in,
0:25:34 > 0:25:36and now she's 14.6, so that's...
0:25:36 > 0:25:38Yeah, it's just over two weeks, too,
0:25:38 > 0:25:40so is that a very good weight gain?
0:25:40 > 0:25:41It's a really good weight.
0:25:41 > 0:25:42That's a very good weight.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45In a couple of weeks, she'd put on over three kilogrammes,
0:25:45 > 0:25:47which for such a short space of time,
0:25:47 > 0:25:49for a dog that was in such a poor condition,
0:25:49 > 0:25:51is really quite incredible.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53This is one of the worst cases that I've ever seen.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55I've never seen a dog as thin as she was,
0:25:55 > 0:25:57so that's why it was touch and go at first
0:25:57 > 0:25:58about whether she'd ever make it,
0:25:58 > 0:26:02but she looks like she's well on the road to recovery now.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04It's a big improvement for Grace,
0:26:04 > 0:26:07and Sally's investigation work has also paid off.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10She's managed to track down the dog's original owner.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14I've been really determined that the matter go to court,
0:26:14 > 0:26:18which it now is, and I'm very hopeful that obviously, in doing so,
0:26:18 > 0:26:22we're going to prevent the individuals involved
0:26:22 > 0:26:23ever doing this to another dog.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25Come on, sweetie-pie. Come on.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34Now, three months later, Grace has made a full recovery.
0:26:36 > 0:26:37Not you.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Much to the delight of new owner Carol.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45We wanted a new dog, just to fill a hole,
0:26:45 > 0:26:47cos I lost my husband in September,
0:26:47 > 0:26:50and I needed something to take, not take his place,
0:26:50 > 0:26:54but just give me something to do,
0:26:54 > 0:26:58and also as a companion for my other dog, Sam.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01We met Grace and we fell in love with her instantly.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04She's such a pleasant personality.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09She's had a great impact on, on our lives.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Erm...
0:27:11 > 0:27:12She just...
0:27:17 > 0:27:21..she just helps to fill an empty space in my life, basically.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24And in Sam's, too.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Cos Sam missed my husband.
0:27:29 > 0:27:35He used to get on his bed, on an afternoon, and keep him company.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38And Grace just takes that place for him as well.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40As well as me.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42We just wouldn't be without her now.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46In just a few months,
0:27:46 > 0:27:50Grace has undergone a remarkable transformation.
0:27:50 > 0:27:55She's living proof that however badly a dog is treated,
0:27:55 > 0:27:59she can come back from it and lead a very happy life.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03She just needs the love and companionship of a loving family.