Episode 12 Animal 24:7


Episode 12

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Today, a dangerous dogs special.

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Each week, more than 100 people have to be admitted to hospital

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after being bitten by a dog -

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the human cost behind the controversy of dangerous dogs.

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We're on patrol with the teams searching for suspect breeds.

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You're seizing both of them? You can't seize my dogs for that.

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That's not fair. Look how friendly the dog is.

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'Hugo, a huge Rottweiler, trained to attack the police.'

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We've been told that he's putting nails in a stick

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and hitting the dog to make it angry.

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'And I witness first hand how the dogs can be victims, too.'

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This is a victim. It was attacked by a pit type dog.

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The number of dangerous dogs seized from our streets

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has risen 20-fold in six years.

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It's hard to imagine that increase,

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but that's the scale of the issue the RSPCA and the police are facing,

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as potentially aggressive animals

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are becoming a must-have status symbol.

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But is it the dog or the owner who is to blame?

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Today's programme will investigate.

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First, we're on patrol with a squad set up to crack down on the problem.

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'Newham, east London.

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'Led by Tina Delaney from the council's animal welfare service,

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'this is the dangerous dogs patrol.

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'Their main weapon is the Dangerous Dogs Act,

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'that defines certain breeds, like pit bulls, as high risk.

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'They can only be kept if their owner registers them.

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'Any dog that is not registered is seized.

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'The unit is one of a number of teams monitoring and seizing

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'the capital's ever-growing population of status dogs.

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'Today, they're investigating a complaint that a local garage

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'is using illegal pit bull terriers as guard dogs.'

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This officer's from the Metropolitan Police.

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We've had two complaints regarding you having pit bull terrier types.

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Can you show me where your dogs are?

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'The owner claims he has American bull dogs, not on the banned list.'

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BARKS

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-Easy. Easy.

-And do you have another one?

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-Yeah. I have a pup who's half Staff.

-Can you show me that one?

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'Tina needs to see what his half-Staffordshire bull terrier is crossed with.

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'Cross breeds, if paired with a banned animal,

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'are as likely to be seized as a full breed.

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'The dog is called Honey and greets the team with a wagging tail.'

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She's proper friendly, look.

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Yes, she is nice.

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She's not dangerous to anything.

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'But whether a dog is seized or not

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'is not down to temperament, it's simply down to breed.'

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-What breed do you believe it to be?

-When I obtained this dog,

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the guy said it's got a Shar-Pei in it and a Staff.

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I've only gone by what I've been told.

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I'm going to seize your dog as a pit bull terrier type.

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I'll have the dogs assessed. You may have to think about your security.

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-Which dog?

-I'm seizing both of them.

-Both of them?

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You can't seize my dog. Look how friendly my dog is.

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Once the dogs are seized, they will be independently assessed.

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If they're of type, then we will discuss options with you.

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'The owner is adamant that his dogs are not illegal breeds.'

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If they're not pit bulls, we will bring them back.

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If they are, then there are various options.

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If they're not, you will get them back.

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Look how friendly the dog is.

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She is friendly, but I am concerned that she has pit bull terrier.

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'Further investigation reveals this owner also has another dog,

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'being kept in poor conditions.

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'All three are seized. They will be taken to an independent assessor.

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'If any are found to be pit bull type and the owner wants them back,

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'he'll have to apply for a licence from the courts.

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'First, he would have to prove that he can look after them responsibly.

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'Across the capital, in northwest London, another dangerous dogs team is on patrol.

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'The Barnet Action for Responsible Canines, or BARC,

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'was launched in January 2007.

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'It's a partnership between the council, the Met Police,

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'Mayhew Animal Home and the RSPCA.

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'Today, they're investigating complaints that a possible pit bull

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'called Kizzy, is being allowed to run freely around a block of flats,

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'terrorising the residents.'

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Hello, Jackie. Can you stick him in the kitchen?

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'Sergeant Roger Mitham explains why the team is here.'

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We fears that Kizzy might be prohibited type, a Section 1 dog.

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There's conditions about having a Section 1 dog.

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You don't want to be out in the street with Kizzy,

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-and you're doing it unlawfully...

-WOMAN: Exactly.

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'Kizzy is quickly identified as pit bull type and will be seized.'

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We don't want the dog to bite somebody and you don't get it back.

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'Her owner is devastated.'

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This is the way to keep the dog.

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There are lots of conditions that you'll have to comply with.

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'Roger Mitham is happy with the way Kizzy's being cared for.

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'This makes a huge difference to her future.'

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I'm reasonably happy that this lady is a responsible owner.

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The dog isn't going to be misused.

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There is an opportunity for the dog to be taken, be registered,

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and the dog returned to her, pending the court's approval,

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which she is quite keen to follow through with, as well.

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'If this owner goes to court,

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'she will have to have Kizzy microchipped, tattooed

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'and ensure she always wears a muzzle in public.

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'Only then will she be allowed home.

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'Earlier, we saw three suspected pit bulls, Sugar, Honey and Ty,

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'being seized from a garage in east London.

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'They've been brought to a secret location

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'to be assessed by a specialist vet qualified to identify banned breeds.

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'The nature of her work means her identity must be protected.'

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She was in a stable without any water, in quite a lot of faeces.

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'She quickly confirms Sugar and Honey are, in fact, pit bulls.

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'Next, it's Ty's turn.'

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WOMAN: He's got a sort of bulldog head.

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He's a guard dog. Any guard dog is potentially dangerous.

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You want a tickle?

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'This dog seems to be a big softie, but is he a pit bull?'

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WOMAN LAUGHS

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He doesn't conform so he will be going back. The two girls do, so they won't be going back.

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We'll deliver him back today and the two bitches will stay for a while.

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'Ty can now go home.

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'And the team breaks the news to his owner

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'that the female dogs won't be coming back, at least, for now.'

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The bitches have been assessed. They are pit bull terrier types.

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-"Type"? Are they, though?

-Yes. They conform.

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That's news to me.

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As far as I was concerned, king staff.

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King staff, Irish staff, long-legged staff are all slang for pit bull.

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Obviously, you've not known that.

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If you come in, we'll look at what happens from there.

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-Thank you for being so cooperative.

-That's fine.

-Cheers.

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'The owner has two options.

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'He can choose to register his dogs.

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'Or he can choose to do nothing, and his dogs will be put to sleep.

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'Their future lies in his hands.

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-'Later...'

-We're going to seize your dog.

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MAN: No, man. Don't take my dog!

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What are you taking my dog for, man?

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'..And the dog left to suffer after a brutal attack.'

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They go for the neck.

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He had him for a quarter of an hour,

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and got it off by hitting the pit type dog with a truncheon.

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Amazingly, in Britain today,

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a pit bull can be bought for as little as a mobile phone.

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This may go some way to explain why the number being seized

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has increased at such a rate.

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They're not the only breed classed as dangerous.

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Any dog can be a threat to the public, as this story shows.

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'Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

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'Inspector Dave McAdam has been called to assist the police

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'with a dangerous eviction of some tenants and a dog.

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'It's reported that one of the tenants has trained his Rottweiler dog to attack the police.

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'Dave is working with Sergeant Toby Fawcett-Greaves and PC Rich Siddall.'

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The guy in question was charged, having used the dog,

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set it on our colleagues that tried to arrest him.

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'Dave had complaints that the dog is being abused.

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'The police had similar reports.'

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We've been told that he's been putting nails in a stick

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and hitting the dog to make it angry, goading people with it.

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'Dave has years of experience in dealing with dangerous dogs.

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'He has worked for the RSPCA for 20 years and as a Parachute Regiment dog handler.

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'It's taught him to always be prepared.'

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I have a grasper, which I would use.

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A grasper's simply a pole with a steel wire at the end,

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like a loop you put over the dog's head,

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and you control it from a distance, where it can't bite you - as much.

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It's still a very difficult situation.

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'Evictions are often tense and fractious.

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'With the threat of a dog trained to attack, they can also be dangerous.

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'Dave and the police are going in ahead of the local council,

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'to clear the way and make their visit as safe as possible.

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'Their presence may not be welcome.

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'The dog has been used as a weapon, and it could be again.'

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Hello, mate. Dave McAdam, RSPCA...

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'The dog is locked away. The owner's brother Robert answers the door.'

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The reason why I got called was on a welfare notice.

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-I rang you.

-Someone else phoned saying the dog was getting beat.

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Yeah. That was me.

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'It was, in fact, Robert who called the police.

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'His brother is in prison, leaving him and his girlfriend Tracy to care for the dog.'

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Just so I can see his face. Where are you, big fella?

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'Dave wants to take a closer look.'

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BARKING

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'Behind the door is a frightened and aggressive two-year-old Rottweiler, Hugo.'

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That's smashing, mate. Yeah...

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'Dave believes dogs aren't born dangerous.

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'They're reared to be this way.

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'Robert tells Dave that his brother used violent techniques to train the dog to attack.'

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-What went on with your brother? Did you see him doing it?

-Yeah.

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I used to have to stop it.

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He used to get metal bars, crowbars, just beat it.

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Why was he doing that?

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-WOMAN:

-Because he wanted to stop... BEEP

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'Robert and Tracy confirmed Dave's fears.'

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It is quite a feisty dog.

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'Once they're evicted,

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'Robert and Tracy won't be able to care for Hugo and are seeking help.'

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-Do you want to sign him over to me?

-He won't get put down?

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To be honest, I cannot guarantee it.

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Because I can't rehome a dog if it's going to maim a child.

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'Although Rottweilers aren't banned,

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'this dog is aggressive and is clearly dangerous.

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'Unless a solution is found, Hugo will be destroyed.

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'Dave prepares to remove the dog.'

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-You'll bring him out on a lead?

-Yeah.

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We'll disperse out the way, mate. That's lovely...

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'Following Robert's advice, he decides it might not be safe to use the grasper.

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'Hugo's been trained to attack when he sees a uniform.

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'Dave and the police must back away.'

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We'll stand well back.

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'Now at a safe distance, Hugo can make his entrance.

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'Though not showing signs of aggression, he's clearly a handful.

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'Everyone gives him a wide berth,

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'especially the police.

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'Outside, the sheer power of this dog is clear to see.'

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If you can pop him in, that'll be brilliant.

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'To avoid being bitten...'

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What we'll do, mate. I'll pop that on his head...

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'..Dave uses the grasper to lift Hugo into the van.'

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Good boy.

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'An upsetting situation, but a necessary one.'

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You can see he's a confident big fella, and he's got big teeth.

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So he could do a lot of damage.

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'Although Hugo is clearly not friendly,

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'Dave does want to try and find him a home.

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'He sees if someone would be willing to rehome him as a working dog.'

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Hello, love. It's Dave...

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'But Hugo has previous form for biting.'

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BARKS

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'Will anyone be prepared to take him on?

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'Coming up...'

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It's a big young fit dog and he's a bit... Well, a lot grumbly.

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It might make a good forces' dog.

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'And the dangerous dogs team delivers some vital advice.'

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Now is the time to discourage her from mouthing humans

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and encourage her to mouth something else, like her favourite toys.

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Often, in cases involving dogs which could threaten humans,

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the suffering of the animal itself can be forgotten.

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We saw how Hugo was trained to hate people.

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Not nice for anyone he came across, and a miserable existence for him.

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When dogs are raised to be aggressive, it's a serious problem.

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Here at Harmsworth, David Grant sees those results most days.

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Good morning.

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This is the first of the day.

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This is a victim, a true Staffie.

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It was out this morning, going to the loo,

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and it was attacked by a pit type dog which grabbed it round the neck.

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The owner said, "Get it out the way or my dog will attack it." It did.

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When they attack, they go for the neck.

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He had him for a quarter of an hour

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and got it off by hitting the pit type dog with a truncheon.

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-That's nasty.

-It is quite nasty.

-It's deep.

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All this is very swollen. The dog is very depressed.

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-See how pale it is.

-It's pale from shock and blood loss?

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Not so much blood loss.

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The shock of being held for a quarter of an hour by a nasty dog.

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You can see that dogs can be the innocent victims.

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Mostly they are.

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On many estates, people are in fear of taking their dog out for a walk.

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It happens a lot. We get two or three of these every day.

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This dog has been picked on by a much bigger pit type dog.

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Those dogs are the villains, particularly their owners.

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The aggressive dog can be a victim. They were only trained.

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The dogs are the victims.

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Even the nasty pit type dogs

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are potentially nice dogs in the right hands.

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In the wrong hands, a lethal weapon.

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Most dogs are loved by their owners

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and should inspire affection in people they meet.

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But an increasing number are trained to do the opposite.

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They're reared harshly to be aggressive and feared by outsiders.

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These are "status dogs" and they're such a threat

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the police formed a unit to target them.

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'The status dog unit deals with many breeds of dog, but the majority are pit bulls.

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'I want to find out more about this notorious breed,

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'so I'm meeting the head of the unit, Sgt Ian McParland.'

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BARKING

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-Hello. Who have we got here?

-This is Max.

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He's one of our latest pit bulls to join us.

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Always a bit of trepidation when a pit bull's about to appear. Hello.

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-I can put my hand out?

-You can.

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Stroke him and all those things you do?

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We've handled him and pulled him around to be examined.

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Tell me more about the status dog unit. It's relatively new, isn't it?

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It started in March 2009, and set up because of the increase

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in the number of people using their dogs for anti-social behaviour.

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Do you have any figures about the growth in this problem?

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The number of dogs you're dealing with?

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Between 2002 and 2006, the Met was seizing about 40 dogs a year.

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80% of those were pit bull terriers, used for anti-social purposes.

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That's gone up year on year, until last year

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we seized 719 dogs, and in the first six months of this year, over 600.

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-Over 600 dogs in the first six months?

-In London alone.

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-That's three or four a day.

-Yeah.

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-Now, this is a pit bull, is that right?

-Yeah.

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What are the distinguishing features?

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We use the American Dog Breeders' Association standard.

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Things like looking for a good bend in the dog's back end.

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So if he's having a fight and gets pushed backwards

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he can spring forwards again.

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The whole of the standard is about how this dog can fight another dog.

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-He's pretty strong, giving your arm a work-out!

-You can hold him.

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I'd like to see how strong he is,

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to understand the power.

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There you go!

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The one thing that Max proves is that it's not about the breed

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it's how they were brought up.

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Max is supposedly a dangerous dog,

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-here I am and I'm not feeling that worried about it.

-No.

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-But what you have to remember is...

-I'm off!

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..that they are bred to be dog-aggressive.

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In London, most dogs are attached to a human.

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So even dogs that are human-friendly,

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they'll attack another dog in the park, that someone's holding on to,

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and the person ends up getting injured.

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Once they go through a court process they've always got to be on a leash

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and muzzled when they're in public.

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So that negates a lot of the problems.

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'Max has shown me that some pit bulls

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'don't deserve a bad reputation.

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'They don't always need to be destroyed,

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'if they are treated responsibly.

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'Max is one of the lucky ones.

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'His owner has agreed to all court rules and he will be going home.

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'Later...'

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The dog gets really upset but I can't pat him cos he'd bite you.

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And it's not his fault.

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'The Newham dangerous dogs patrol is responding to a complaint

0:23:260:23:30

'that a resident is allowing his pit bull out in public without a muzzle.

0:23:300:23:36

'This is an offence.'

0:23:360:23:38

The gentleman's just come out of his house.

0:23:380:23:42

-He has a pit bull terrier, which I want to seize now.

-OK.

0:23:420:23:46

'As suspected, he appears to be walking an unmuzzled pit bull.

0:23:460:23:50

'Tina Delaney and her team have no choice but to seize the dog.'

0:23:500:23:55

I'm from Newham Animal Welfare Service.

0:23:570:24:01

I believe that your dog is a pit bull terrier type.

0:24:010:24:05

-This officer is going to take him...

-What do you mean?

0:24:050:24:09

-We're going to seize him.

-You can't take him.

0:24:090:24:12

I'm going to explain what's going to happen.

0:24:120:24:16

No. You can't take him. Let me go home.

0:24:160:24:20

Sir, if you just listen for a moment.

0:24:200:24:23

-Your dog will be assessed.

-No, man. You can't take my dog.

0:24:230:24:28

Once your dog is assessed...

0:24:280:24:31

How come you say that he's half-pit. He's half-Staff.

0:24:310:24:36

Listen to this lady.

0:24:360:24:39

If he is half-pit, you have an illegal dog.

0:24:390:24:43

'The owner's admission confirms Tina's fears.

0:24:430:24:46

'An unregistered pit bull, whether a full breed or crossed,

0:24:460:24:50

'is illegal and must be seized.'

0:24:500:24:53

-Why are you putting this on?

-Leave it, my love.

0:24:530:24:57

'Tequila is no exception.'

0:24:570:25:00

No, you... SOUND DIPPED

0:25:000:25:04

-You can't do this.

-We can do this.

-No, man. You can't take my dog.

0:25:040:25:09

You can't take my dog, man.

0:25:090:25:12

-Listen. It's only for...

-No, man. Don't take my dog!

0:25:120:25:16

What are you taking my dog for, man?

0:25:160:25:19

No, man!

0:25:190:25:21

'The owner is becoming more irate.

0:25:210:25:23

'With police intervention, Tequila is seized.'

0:25:230:25:28

Tequila! Where are you taking my dog?!

0:25:280:25:32

'The fight against Britain's dangerous dogs is never-ending.

0:25:360:25:42

'In north London, the BARC unit is patrolling the streets.

0:25:420:25:46

'PC Simon Underwood spots an old acquaintance

0:25:490:25:54

'walking a suspect-looking dog.'

0:25:540:25:56

Of all the people to have a dog like that!

0:25:560:26:00

Tony!

0:26:000:26:01

-How are you doing?

-All right, mate?

0:26:030:26:05

'Simon is keen to examine the dog, who has quite an unusual name.'

0:26:050:26:11

-Reefer.

-Reeser?

-Reefer!

0:26:110:26:14

Yeah!

0:26:140:26:16

'The team asks Reefer's owners if they know what breed she is.'

0:26:160:26:20

Staff.

0:26:200:26:23

I think she's got something else mixed with her. A mongrel!

0:26:230:26:27

'RSPCA inspector Jan Eachus agrees. Staffies aren't banned breeds.

0:26:270:26:33

'But they can be dangerous and this one is developing some bad habits.'

0:26:330:26:38

It's purely just a bull terrier

0:26:380:26:40

sort of a mix.

0:26:400:26:42

It's four months. It's not going to be very big.

0:26:420:26:46

It's still got a set of teeth.

0:26:460:26:49

When they get older, they start biting down a little harder.

0:26:490:26:53

Then somebody accuses the dog of biting him when the dog was playing.

0:26:530:26:58

'With Reefer showing early signs of potentially aggressive behaviour,

0:26:580:27:04

'Jan can't leave without offering some advice.'

0:27:040:27:07

Now is the time to discourage her from mouthing humans

0:27:070:27:11

and encourage her to mouth something else, like her favourite toys.

0:27:110:27:17

-Then praise her for taking that step.

-OK.

0:27:170:27:19

Thank you. See ya later.

0:27:190:27:22

Thanks a lot.

0:27:220:27:25

'A high-security pound in London.

0:27:280:27:31

DOGS BARK

0:27:310:27:33

'Tequila, the dog seized earlier while being walked by her owner,

0:27:330:27:38

'has just arrived.'

0:27:380:27:40

Hello, darling.

0:27:400:27:42

'If a pit bull status is confirmed,

0:27:420:27:44

'her owner will have to prove he is responsible,

0:27:440:27:49

'otherwise this could be her final home.'

0:27:490:27:52

She's absolutely nice.

0:27:520:27:55

She's a bit worried, but not aggressive. Good girl, aren't you?

0:27:550:28:00

'She joins countless other dogs that are also waiting

0:28:020:28:07

'for their fate to be decided.

0:28:070:28:10

'Last year, the police seized over 700 dangerous dogs in London alone,

0:28:100:28:16

'the majority being of pit bull type.

0:28:160:28:19

'Almost half were destroyed.

0:28:210:28:23

'A couple of pens away from Tequila is a good example

0:28:230:28:27

'of how even friendly pit bulls can be overpowering.'

0:28:270:28:31

She's a lovely pit.

0:28:310:28:33

She uses her mouth a lot, and nips and bites quite a lot.

0:28:330:28:39

That really hurts, when she does that.

0:28:390:28:44

If you encourage this behaviour... you have a dangerous dog

0:28:440:28:51

with power to potentially kill somebody.

0:28:510:28:54

'Next door is Rhino.

0:28:540:28:56

'He was a guard dog. His temperament is very different.'

0:28:560:28:59

-DEEP GROWLING

-See? Like that.

0:29:020:29:05

'Aggressively trained status dogs

0:29:050:29:07

'are fast becoming the weapon of choice for gang members,

0:29:070:29:11

'drug dealers and street thugs.'

0:29:110:29:14

They use them to frighten people.

0:29:140:29:17

They have fights between each other's dogs.

0:29:170:29:20

We have complaints about people intimidating people with their dogs,

0:29:200:29:25

or using their dogs to kill cats.

0:29:250:29:28

It's the dog that suffers because the dog is seized,

0:29:280:29:33

and some of the time they are euthanised and put to sleep.

0:29:330:29:38

It is something that's increasing and it's a problem nationwide.

0:29:380:29:44

WHINES

0:29:440:29:46

'Now, it's Tequila's time to be assessed.'

0:29:480:29:52

20 inches both ways. She's very square.

0:29:520:29:55

'If the experts confirm her as pit bull type,

0:29:550:29:59

'her owner has the opportunity to apply to register her

0:29:590:30:03

'and have her back.'

0:30:030:30:05

Looking for 25% more cheek development.

0:30:050:30:08

'If he doesn't, Tequila will be put to sleep.'

0:30:080:30:12

Looking for a nice scissor bite. Nice teeth.

0:30:120:30:15

'It hasn't gone well.'

0:30:190:30:21

The preliminary assessment confirms she's a pit bull type.

0:30:210:30:26

'Tequila's future now rests with her owner.'

0:30:260:30:29

I'm hoping for a positive outcome. She's a nice dog.

0:30:290:30:33

She doesn't pose a danger. He has eight weeks to comply.

0:30:330:30:38

We're hoping to have her returned within two or three weeks.

0:30:380:30:43

We want her to go back and hopefully there shouldn't be any problems.

0:30:430:30:48

'Still to come...'

0:30:540:30:56

You're coming dangerously close.

0:30:560:31:00

You need to control these dogs, or you're not going to have them.

0:31:000:31:05

Pit bulls cannot be rehomed.

0:31:080:31:11

Sadly, a large number of dogs that are seized are put to sleep

0:31:110:31:15

because their owners choose not to follow the law.

0:31:150:31:20

Any dog classed as dangerous poses the same problems.

0:31:200:31:24

Earlier, RSPCA inspector Dave McAdam seized a large Rottweiler, Hugo.

0:31:240:31:29

Hugo's owner trained him to be aggressive, and it worked.

0:31:290:31:34

Hugo has bitten several people,

0:31:340:31:37

but Dave is not prepared to give up just yet.

0:31:370:31:41

'Inspector Dave McAdam is trying to find someone willing to take Hugo,

0:31:500:31:55

'a potentially aggressive Rottweiler.'

0:31:550:31:58

A difficult circumstance, people can no longer look after a dog.

0:31:580:32:03

Big Rottweiler, about two years old.

0:32:030:32:06

Now, it is aggressive...

0:32:060:32:09

'He's hoping the armed forces may rehome Hugo as a working dog.'

0:32:090:32:15

It's a big young fit dog and he's a bit... Well, a lot grumbly.

0:32:150:32:20

-'The phone call hasn't gone well.'

-Thanks anyway. Bye.

0:32:200:32:25

You've heard that, haven't you? Did you hear what she said?

0:32:250:32:29

Because it's bitten, they don't think they'll take him.

0:32:290:32:33

'With no-one willing to take the dog, Dave has no option.'

0:32:330:32:37

The last thing you want is him to go for a child.

0:32:370:32:40

Potentially, he could kill someone.

0:32:400:32:44

'Hugo will be put to sleep.'

0:32:440:32:46

Do you guys want to think about it and have a chat?

0:32:460:32:50

What can you...? We'll leave you for a couple of minutes.

0:32:500:32:55

'Because Hugo isn't on the dangerous breeds list,

0:32:550:32:59

'Dave can't just seize him.

0:32:590:33:01

'Although having an animal put to sleep is distressing,

0:33:010:33:05

'Robert and Tracy feel they have no choice.'

0:33:050:33:08

You have made a decision which is right for the dog and for people.

0:33:080:33:14

It's not the dog's fault. It's not your fault.

0:33:140:33:17

You've been hugely responsible in a very difficult situation.

0:33:170:33:21

'Tracy and Robert are left to say a final farewell.

0:33:210:33:25

'Dave heads to the Chesterfield Animal Home.

0:33:370:33:41

'High-risk dogs like Hugo have to be put to sleep straight away.'

0:33:410:33:46

Thanks for coming, mate.

0:33:460:33:48

'Inspector Mike Scargill helps Dave in what could be a dangerous job.'

0:33:480:33:53

All right, young chap? Pop your head in there. Good lad. Here we go.

0:33:530:33:58

'So far, Hugo is behaving.'

0:33:580:34:01

Good lad. Good boy.

0:34:010:34:04

'Dave knows this dog's temperament could change at any moment.'

0:34:040:34:10

It's a real sad situation.

0:34:100:34:13

I meet hundreds of fantastic Rottweilers.

0:34:130:34:16

It's not a problem with Rottweilers.

0:34:160:34:19

It's not any dog in particular.

0:34:190:34:22

The problem comes when people do not socialise the dog properly.

0:34:220:34:27

It's the one of most upsetting parts of our job,

0:34:270:34:30

putting down a young healthy dog.

0:34:300:34:33

We know the reasons why, though. It could maim someone.

0:34:330:34:37

OK? Come on, chap.

0:34:370:34:39

-'All of a sudden...'

-SNARLING

0:34:390:34:42

'Hugo shows his true colours.'

0:34:420:34:44

That's why you have to be so careful.

0:34:440:34:47

SNARLING

0:34:470:34:50

'Hugo is stressed and frightened.

0:34:500:34:53

'Mike needs to sedate him before he can be put finally to sleep.'

0:34:530:34:57

The dog gets really upset because, you know, he's a bit stressed.

0:35:030:35:08

You can't pat him cos he'd bite you. That's the worst of it.

0:35:080:35:13

And it's not his fault.

0:35:130:35:15

What a waste of a beautiful dog, a real sad waste.

0:35:180:35:23

Finally on today's programme, we rejoin the dangerous dog patrols.

0:35:320:35:37

Two pit bulls, Tequila and Kizzy, were seized,

0:35:370:35:40

and their owners were left with an important decision -

0:35:400:35:44

whether they would apply to the courts for a licence

0:35:440:35:48

which would allow them to keep their pets.

0:35:480:35:51

We'll catch up with them, but first, there's another call to investigate.

0:35:510:35:56

'On the streets of London, the BARC patrol are responding to another canine complaint.

0:36:020:36:09

'It's reported that two potentially dangerous dogs have attacked a cat

0:36:090:36:14

'and are out of control.

0:36:140:36:17

'The police are spotted and the dogs tethered by their young owners.'

0:36:170:36:23

They've just put them on the lead cos we turned up.

0:36:230:36:27

-Could you bring them in?

-Bring in Xena and Angel.

0:36:270:36:31

'It's clear that Xena and Angel are two Staffordshire bull terriers,

0:36:320:36:38

'a breed not on the dangerous dogs list.

0:36:380:36:43

'But this is of little comfort to the local residents,

0:36:430:36:48

'who've become frightened of these often intimidating dogs.'

0:36:480:36:52

We've had complaints from residents

0:36:520:36:54

that the lads are out with the dogs off leads.

0:36:540:36:58

One of them had a fight with a cat, and it caused problems.

0:36:580:37:03

I've just pulled up and they're outside with them off the leads.

0:37:030:37:07

They saw us and they put them on. They know they should be on leads.

0:37:070:37:13

-All these dogs belong to you?

-Yeah.

0:37:130:37:16

'It's not just the local cat they've been picking fights with.'

0:37:160:37:22

What's happened here with the dog? Is that from the cat?

0:37:220:37:27

No. He was having a fight with the dog next door.

0:37:270:37:31

'Lack of control is allowing these animals

0:37:310:37:34

'to attack other dogs and frighten residents.

0:37:340:37:38

'Inspector Jan Eachus has heard enough.'

0:37:380:37:41

You're coming dangerously close.

0:37:410:37:45

You need to really control the dogs or you're not going to have them.

0:37:450:37:51

Right. Do you hear that? >

0:37:510:37:53

'Sgt Roger Mitham is concerned

0:37:540:37:57

'that these dogs are too much for the young boys.'

0:37:570:38:00

Anybody under 16 doesn't take them out.

0:38:000:38:03

If your other son's over 16, he can take them out.

0:38:030:38:08

There are offences of a dog being dangerously out of control,

0:38:080:38:13

if it frightens somebody, you run the risk of being prosecuted.

0:38:130:38:17

'The lads do love their dogs.

0:38:200:38:22

'Sadly, that love hasn't extended to cleaning up their kennels.'

0:38:220:38:27

-Would you want to get into your bed when there's poo next to it?

-No.

0:38:270:38:32

Animals shouldn't be expected to.

0:38:320:38:35

'The boys are left to clean up and think about the lesson

0:38:380:38:43

'in responsible dog ownership.

0:38:430:38:46

'Hopefully, Xena and Angel will be under control,

0:38:470:38:51

'leaving this estate to breathe a sigh of relief.

0:38:510:38:55

'At the high security kennels at a secret location,

0:39:010:39:05

'there's been a sad development.

0:39:050:39:08

'Tequila has been waiting to go home for almost two months.

0:39:080:39:12

'Identified as a pit bull, she was seized from her angry owner,

0:39:120:39:17

'desperate to keep his beloved pet.'

0:39:170:39:20

No, man. Don't take my dog...

0:39:200:39:22

'To be reunited, all he had to do was prove to a court

0:39:240:39:28

'he was a responsible dog owner, and get her registered.'

0:39:280:39:32

Good girl. Hello.

0:39:320:39:34

'A process that begins with some simple forms.'

0:39:340:39:38

All the paperwork has to be completed within eight weeks.

0:39:380:39:44

We're well into that eight weeks and it hasn't been completed,

0:39:440:39:48

which makes the time frame that we've got left quite small.

0:39:480:39:53

It doesn't look like Tequila will be going home, unfortunately.

0:39:530:39:58

'For Tina and her team, this is a constant source of frustration.'

0:39:580:40:03

Everyone who's been looking after her has got attached to her.

0:40:030:40:07

She's a lovely dog. When she is put to sleep it will be devastating.

0:40:070:40:12

She's happy. She's got used to everybody that handles her.

0:40:120:40:18

It will be devastating, however,

0:40:180:40:21

it is down to the owner that she's being put to sleep.

0:40:210:40:26

'Owning an animal on the dangerous dogs list

0:40:260:40:31

'is a huge responsibility that requires hard work, maturity

0:40:310:40:35

'and a real awareness of what these dogs are capable of.

0:40:350:40:40

'The BARC unit are returning to where Kizzy,

0:40:440:40:47

'a two-year-old pit bull cross, was seized six weeks earlier.'

0:40:470:40:52

-DOG BARKS

-Hello, Jackie. It's the police.

0:40:520:40:56

'Kizzy is back home.'

0:40:560:40:58

Do you want to keep her back? Don't let her out in the corridor.

0:40:580:41:03

'Her owner was prepared to do what was required

0:41:030:41:06

'to have her dog returned.'

0:41:060:41:09

-She's been OK since she got back?

-Good, yeah.

0:41:090:41:12

-How's her temperament?

-Temperament's good as gold.

0:41:120:41:16

I went round a friend's. She's got three dogs. Good as gold with them.

0:41:160:41:22

'Kizzy's been added to an electronic register,

0:41:220:41:26

'bears an ID tattoo and must wear a muzzle whenever in public.'

0:41:260:41:31

She's getting used to the muzzle.

0:41:310:41:34

Obviously, this owner has had a lot of patience with the dog.

0:41:340:41:38

She's done a really good job. I'm really pleased.

0:41:380:41:42

She's a real character.

0:41:420:41:44

-Aren't you?

-BARKS

0:41:440:41:47

'Kizzy is proof that, with the right owner,

0:41:470:41:51

'"dangerous dogs" can live happy and harmless lives.'

0:41:510:41:56

She is a good example of a responsible owner.

0:41:560:41:59

Through her actions, the dog is safe and secure when it's out with her.

0:41:590:42:04

She is in control of it. There's no risk of anybody being bitten.

0:42:040:42:09

We're trying to prevent a crime.

0:42:090:42:12

As far as we're concerned, that's the job done.

0:42:120:42:16

'Next time, on Animal 24:7...'

0:42:200:42:23

We're calling the police.

0:42:230:42:25

'Rescue for the skinny dog in a high-rise prison.'

0:42:250:42:29

The dog's collapsed on the balcony. It's a bag of bones.

0:42:290:42:35

'Horses for courses! A tough handicap for these golfers.'

0:42:360:42:41

The owners aren't used to handling them. They can't get near them.

0:42:410:42:46

'And I join the search for a whale in the city centre.'

0:42:460:42:51

The rescue team has been scouring the surface of the Clyde without...

0:42:510:42:56

There it is!

0:42:560:42:58

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