0:00:03 > 0:00:05Britain's animals are under threat.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08All too often our wildlife and domestic pets
0:00:08 > 0:00:12are the victims of cruelty, persecution and neglect.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15Fighting to save them is a dedicated band of people
0:00:15 > 0:00:18trying to protect and care for them right around the clock.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21This is Animal 24:7.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45Today on Animal 24:7...
0:00:45 > 0:00:46We're calling the police.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51Rescue for the skinny dog locked in a high-rise prison.
0:00:51 > 0:00:52There's still no reply.
0:00:52 > 0:00:57I've been upstairs and looked down and the dog's collapsed on the balcony. It's a bag of bones.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Horses for courses -
0:01:00 > 0:01:02a tough handicap for these golfers.
0:01:02 > 0:01:08The owners obviously aren't used to handling them because they can't even get anywhere near them.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12And I join the search for a whale in the city centre.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16There it is, right by behind my shoulder!
0:01:20 > 0:01:24London is one of the world's most densely populated cities
0:01:24 > 0:01:28and in amongst the high-rise blocks and council estates,
0:01:28 > 0:01:30problems can often come to a head.
0:01:30 > 0:01:36It's also where RSPCA inspectors often find their most challenging cases.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46For millions of people who live in the concrete tower blocks of Britain
0:01:46 > 0:01:50the balconies can be a window to the outside world.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52DOGS BARK
0:01:52 > 0:01:56But sadly, for some pets, they can also be lonely prisons.
0:01:56 > 0:02:04In the East End of London, RSPCA inspector Claire Ponsford is following up the latest allegation.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07I've had a call about a dog that's living in very bad conditions,
0:02:07 > 0:02:13and the dog itself is supposed to be in quite a bad state, at one of these flats here in this block.
0:02:13 > 0:02:19But although there's a dog reported to be living here there's no-one at home.
0:02:20 > 0:02:21Hello?
0:02:21 > 0:02:23It's the RSPCA.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26It's filthy dirty,
0:02:26 > 0:02:28full of rubbish and dirt and mess.
0:02:28 > 0:02:35It doesn't look like anybody's living here except this is how the property was described to me, so...
0:02:35 > 0:02:39we know that there's supposed to be a young family living here with quite a...
0:02:39 > 0:02:43a dog in quite bad condition, but I can't see a dog.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47With no access to the flat, Claire tries a different approach.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51This is the floor above, so I'm hoping that I can see down onto the balcony.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55If I can see the dog down there then I'll ask the police to come round and have a look.
0:02:56 > 0:03:02Luckily, the neighbours are in and Claire heads straight for a high vantage point.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10What she sees below confirms her worst fears.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13OK, we're calling the police.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17The dog is emaciated and seems to have collapsed.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20Claire needs to get access to the flat as quickly as possible.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22It's a bag of bones.
0:03:22 > 0:03:28I'm contacting the police now and see if I can get someone to assist me with getting into the property.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31The police have the power to break in and rescue the dog.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35Hello, could I speak to DS O'Sullivan, please?
0:03:36 > 0:03:43Claire has no idea how long the dog has been left alone or when it last had something to eat.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46There's still no reply. I've been to the property upstairs
0:03:46 > 0:03:49and looked down and the dog's collapsed on the balcony.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51The police are on their way.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55While she waits, Claire makes the van more comfortable.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00I'm just getting a kennel ready in the van for this dog
0:04:00 > 0:04:02because from what I've seen, it's not in good condition.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06I want it to have quite a comfortable ride to the veterinary surgeon.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08I have alerted the surgeon that we're on our way.
0:04:13 > 0:04:1715 minutes later, the police arrive.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21And inside the tower block they force their way into the flat.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23DOOR BREAKING
0:04:23 > 0:04:24That's it. Nearly there.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28Now Claire can finally get to the dog.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30DOOR BANGS
0:04:30 > 0:04:32Police!
0:04:33 > 0:04:37Right, I'm just going to get this dog out of here.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- As she approaches the door... - Hello, mate!
0:04:41 > 0:04:47The dog suddenly springs to life and seems delighted to finally have some company.
0:04:47 > 0:04:52Quite bouncy, which is good because he wasn't earlier.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57Hello. He's quite a nice dog, actually, but the faeces and everything out here is unreal.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00She's desperate to get out.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Hello! Hello! Hello!
0:05:04 > 0:05:07And as Claire unlocks the door it's clear why.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Oh, did you go straight in the kitchen and there wasn't anything to eat?
0:05:10 > 0:05:14This dog is dangerously skinny and she's starving.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19She frantically begins scavenging the flat for any scraps of food.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21So hungry. Well, I think she's just starving now.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Claire tries to calm her down but she's far too distracted.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29She's so hungry. Well...
0:05:29 > 0:05:33Oh, don't eat that, that's rotten chicken, mate!
0:05:33 > 0:05:38Claire is treating this as a cruelty case and the dog's owner may go to court.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42I'm pleased it looks a bit happier than it did when I first looked over the balcony.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46She gathers evidence of how the dog was left.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48The balcony's absolutely covered in faeces.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51There's nothing out here for the dog really to lie on.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54There's no water, broken bowls, rubbish.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56It's just unbelievable.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Good girl, I'm coming.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01The priority now is to get this pet to the vet's.
0:06:01 > 0:06:07She needs a full health check and some food to give her the best chance of making a full recovery.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11Come on, there's a good girl. She's very thin, you know, she's still...
0:06:11 > 0:06:14a bit...a bit size zero at the back there, but...
0:06:15 > 0:06:19she's quite lively, but probably just because she's really hungry.
0:06:22 > 0:06:30To see her actively rooting through dirty, disgusting old binbags in the property looking for food...
0:06:30 > 0:06:31It's very nervous on a lead.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35It's just quite disturbing and it's just really unnecessary.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40It makes me quite angry that people have these animals and just cannot be bothered to look after them properly.
0:06:43 > 0:06:44Later...
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Now that's a hungry dog. That's a dog that's not eaten for a while.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49She's very hungry.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54And the huge operation to find an elusive whale lost in the city.
0:06:54 > 0:06:59The fact that we can't see or hear it at the moment is good news for you - he's not in trouble tonight.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02We'll keep our fingers crossed that it's managed
0:07:02 > 0:07:05to turn itself around and head back out to open sea.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11Every once in a while a sporting event comes to
0:07:11 > 0:07:14a juddering halt because an animal is loose on the pitch.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18Test matches at the Oval, internationals at Wembley
0:07:18 > 0:07:22have both suffered because birds, dogs or cattle are out of control,
0:07:22 > 0:07:27but for one RSPCA inspector, the problem is a whole different ballgame.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37Some people like nothing more than a quiet round of golf.
0:07:38 > 0:07:45But for this group teeing off in Wigan, the handicap was a bit bigger than they would have planned.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48These horses have been on the fairways for two days.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52Now RSPCA inspector Lisa Lupson has been called in to round them up.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57So, I need to just go and assess the condition, see if there's any
0:07:57 > 0:08:00injuries or marks on them and then we'll...
0:08:00 > 0:08:04We'll nip back to the vehicle and just make a few enquiries.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08As well as Lisa's concerns over the state of the horses,
0:08:08 > 0:08:14back at the clubhouse members are worried about the damage being done to the course.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19They were frightened, and galloped across them and the hooves have dug quite a few divots in the green,
0:08:19 > 0:08:22so it'll a job to rectify them.
0:08:22 > 0:08:29With a full 18 holes available for the horses to graze on, Lisa's no chance of catching them on her own.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33But she does know the owner.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39She calls him and tells him he must come and help catch his runaway horses straight away.
0:08:39 > 0:08:46He's had plenty of warnings. He's had dealings with us before about other horses in a different area.
0:08:46 > 0:08:52This is the second time in the space of a week that horses have escaped this field.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55He doesn't care about his horses. If he's putting them
0:08:55 > 0:08:58in a field where they aren't secure he doesn't care about them.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02With balls still flying as the golfers continue to drive...
0:09:04 > 0:09:06You can get them to smell the ginger biscuits.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11..Lisa tries to coax the horses to safety with a few treats.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15Well, the fact that we're trying to entice them with ginger biscuits
0:09:15 > 0:09:19normally entices any horse and it's not even attracting these.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21They're just running away from us, they're not interested.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26They're obviously quite scared and timid which just shows me that they're not handled very well.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30We need to just wait for the owner and I'm absolutely 100% sure he'll
0:09:30 > 0:09:34come because he'll be scared to death that we'll take them
0:09:34 > 0:09:36and he doesn't want to get into any trouble.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41And, sure enough, a few minutes later the owner does turn up
0:09:41 > 0:09:45with some helpers.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47We meet again.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50But there's an immediate stand-off.
0:09:50 > 0:09:57As soon as he sees Lisa and our cameras he makes off, leaving his friends to catch the horses.
0:10:01 > 0:10:07The round-up begins with the horses trampling all over the greens.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09Frightened, but fortunately sticking together,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12the ponies are ushered towards the rough...
0:10:14 > 0:10:17..but they're not out of danger yet.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21That is a steep bank in those woods.
0:10:21 > 0:10:27My worry is that they've chased them down there, it's obviously thick woodland, so trying to confine them
0:10:27 > 0:10:33now is going to be really hard work and if it's steep banking there's the potential they could slip and fall.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37Lisa has two problems on her hands.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40She wants the horses caught, but also wants to confront the owner.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44But both are avoiding her.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48I think they're going to walk them back to where they've come from,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51which means they might not even come back out of here.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58The horses break cover at the other end of the fairway.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03Lisa hitches a ride to get there as soon as she can.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08The owners obviously aren't used to handling them because they can't even
0:11:08 > 0:11:11get anywhere near them, so my point is proved.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17But before she gets a chance to speak to the owner, the horses
0:11:17 > 0:11:21vanish off her radar again and go into the thick of the woods.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- Apparently it's all fenced off. - There's a brook there. They can't...
0:11:24 > 0:11:29- They can't get through the fence unless they bulldoze their way through.- Unless they jump.
0:11:29 > 0:11:34All that's branched off as well, so...they really can't get through, you know?
0:11:34 > 0:11:36- We might see them.- They could do some damage to themselves.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Eventually Lisa spots them in the distance.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43Where are you taking them?
0:11:43 > 0:11:48They've finally been caught and are being quickly led away from Lisa.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Don't take them back to Adlington because I'm going there now.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56He's got 24 hours to shift them.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01She may be unable to confront him face to face, but Lisa's not prepared to let the owner get away.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03It's not the end for us.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06I'm going to speak to the owner.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08I want to give him a warning notice.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10I want to get these horses moved out of this field that he's got them in.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15It's not secure. It's causing havoc for everybody who lives in the local area.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21The drama may be at an end here for now, but Lisa knows this won't be
0:12:21 > 0:12:25the last time she has dealings with this owner and his runaway horses.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35Coming up, rescue for two tiny kittens dumped in a box.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38Obviously nervous, shaking a bit, so if I pop it in the cage.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Hey, look who it is!
0:12:42 > 0:12:46And a testing time for Olga, the abandoned dog.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Dogs that have been starved for some time
0:12:50 > 0:12:54can become possessive of food, so it's an interesting test
0:12:54 > 0:12:58to sort of remove the food bowl while it's eating and see what kind of reaction you get.
0:13:00 > 0:13:07Marine mammals like whales and dolphins frequently visit Britain's estuaries and river mouths,
0:13:07 > 0:13:12but sometimes they get lost and just head a bit too far upstream.
0:13:12 > 0:13:18In Scotland, one such visitor has made a wrong turn and has taken an unexpected city break.
0:13:23 > 0:13:28The River Clyde in the heart of Glasgow and Strathclyde Police Marine Unit
0:13:28 > 0:13:31is searching for something in the water.
0:13:32 > 0:13:39The officers on board are used to searching this river, but today's operation is out of the ordinary.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41They're on the lookout for a whale.
0:13:43 > 0:13:49Police Wildlife Crime Officer Craig Borthwick is co-ordinating the search.
0:13:49 > 0:13:54How long has this story been going on from your point of view and what have you been up to?
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Well, I got the call yesterday at five o'clock to say that there had
0:13:57 > 0:14:00been a sighting of a marine mammal in the water.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04People had phoned up thinking there was a dolphin in the water.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07So we've been watching this creature swimming up and down the Clyde.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13But Craig soon realised the creature wasn't a dolphin.
0:14:13 > 0:14:18It's a northern bottlenosed whale and it's a long way from home.
0:14:18 > 0:14:23The pattern of swimming seems to suggest that it's got itself quite well and truly lost.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27They're deep diving whales. Normally you'd find them in the Atlantic Ocean,
0:14:27 > 0:14:32so to find them this far up into the centre of the Clyde is a bit worrying.
0:14:36 > 0:14:41Despite the team's attempts to redirect the whale towards the sea,
0:14:41 > 0:14:45it keeps swimming back upstream and this is a major concern.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47We don't know why it's here.
0:14:47 > 0:14:52Often when they come up this far and so far out of their habitat, it's because they're ill already.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57So, there's a possibility that that's caused the problem, it's just got lost.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Making its way own out,
0:14:59 > 0:15:01it's extremely remote.
0:15:02 > 0:15:09The chance to spot such an unusual creature is pulling in the crowds,
0:15:09 > 0:15:12but it's not an easy animal to track.
0:15:12 > 0:15:18British Divers' marine vet Cameron MacPherson has been trying to assess its condition for several hours.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21I had my first view of it about half an hour or so ago now
0:15:21 > 0:15:26for about half a second each time as it was coming up close enough for any meaningful view of it.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31Can you tell in that time if it's young or old, if it's looking fat or thin, any of those things?
0:15:31 > 0:15:36It's certainly looking thin, I think. It isn't fat from what I've seen of it.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40That would concern me if it is underweight because it normally lives in the Atlantic Ocean,
0:15:40 > 0:15:42diving deep down into trenches to feed off squid.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45Clearly not going to be able to be feeding in the Clyde, unfortunately,
0:15:45 > 0:15:50so probably hasn't eaten for quite some time, therefore it's going to be losing weight,
0:15:50 > 0:15:54getting dehydrated as well because they get a lot of their water from the food that they eat.
0:15:55 > 0:16:02Last night the whale beached during low tide, but eventually it did manage to free itself.
0:16:04 > 0:16:10In two hours there will be another low tide and the team is worried the whale will beach again.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15For now though, there is nothing we can do but sit and wait.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18This afternoon, members of the rescue team and ourselves have been
0:16:18 > 0:16:22scouring the surface of the Clyde without seeing anything.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24There it is, right behind my shoulder!
0:16:27 > 0:16:29The whale has finally reappeared.
0:16:31 > 0:16:36Now, the thing is, the tide's going down so it's got less and less water
0:16:36 > 0:16:42to swim in all the time and that was the place that it beached yesterday evening.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44The whale is staying above the water longer than ever before.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48It's a chance the team can't afford to miss.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55We head out on the boat to try and take a closer look and guide it back to sea.
0:16:55 > 0:17:01- In the last hour or so it seems to have been surfacing a lot more regularly here.- Yes, it's...
0:17:01 > 0:17:06It could be because the water depth is dropping so it's got less water to actually swim around in.
0:17:06 > 0:17:11It can't follow its pattern of taking a couple of surface breaths
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- and going down for an extended period of time.- There, there!
0:17:14 > 0:17:18The whale's regular appearances are attracting more spectators,
0:17:18 > 0:17:22but for Cameron this sighting doesn't bode well.
0:17:22 > 0:17:27I feel a bit guilty getting excited about seeing it, all these people here are seeing it and, you know,
0:17:27 > 0:17:30it's interesting in one way, but at the same time it's so sad.
0:17:30 > 0:17:35- I don't get excited. I'd rather see it in the Atlantic. I'd be much... - Yeah, you'd rather not see it.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39Yeah, I'd be much more excited about seeing it there. Here it just makes me nervous and sad.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41But just as quickly as it appeared,
0:17:41 > 0:17:46the whale descends back into the murky grey depths of the Clyde.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52All we can do now is head back to the banks to see if the whale beaches again.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58It does feel really strange that under the water here is an animal
0:17:58 > 0:18:04that should be in the North Atlantic virtually up to the Arctic, and yet it's here in the heart of the city,
0:18:04 > 0:18:09where people are stopping on their way home in rush hour just to take a little glance down at the river.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16It's nine o'clock in the evening and the tide is at its lowest.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Extra helpers have now been drafted in.
0:18:18 > 0:18:23If the animal beaches, every available hand will be needed.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28But the whale hasn't been spotted for several hours now.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31This is the longest period of time without a sighting.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36It could mean the whale has found its way back to sea,
0:18:36 > 0:18:40but it could also mean the whale is stranded somewhere on the river.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- It's pretty shallow here then, is it?- Yes, aye, very shallow.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46We're probably in the deepest part just now.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51- So, we're really searching for it now to see where it is. - We are indeed.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55We're looking to see if we can see it stranded on any of these sandbanks which have now appeared.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59Earlier on, we were looking at it in the Clyde the water was a lot higher,
0:18:59 > 0:19:05a good four or five metres higher than it is just now, so all this was covered and the whale could move
0:19:05 > 0:19:11in this, but obviously we're now at the stage where the water is really, really shallow.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15'Finding the whale in daylight was difficult, but at night it's proving impossible.'
0:19:15 > 0:19:20ON RADIO: 'Negative. There hasn't been a sighting, but the vet...'
0:19:20 > 0:19:26'Our search downstream takes us towards deeper water, but there's still no sign of the whale.'
0:19:26 > 0:19:30So, the fact that we can't see or hear at the moment
0:19:30 > 0:19:32is good news for you - at least he was not in trouble tonight.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- Yeah, it is.- So far.- It is good news, so it's like anything else -
0:19:35 > 0:19:40keep fingers crossed it's managed to turn itself around and head back out to open sea.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42'With no sightings downstream,
0:19:42 > 0:19:48'we head back to the location where the whale beached before.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51'Once again, we draw a blank.'
0:19:51 > 0:19:55Would you rather see it or rather not this evening?
0:19:55 > 0:19:57It's... It's a tough question.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01Ideally, obviously you'd rather see it... Not see it here,
0:20:01 > 0:20:05and it's got out, but the problem is that the state of it,
0:20:05 > 0:20:08the condition of it, the fact it's been here so long and the manner
0:20:08 > 0:20:12in which it's been swimming up and down there's concern for its welfare now.
0:20:12 > 0:20:18- So, it becomes a kind of an animal welfare issue as well. - 'It's a Catch-22 situation.
0:20:18 > 0:20:24'Failing to find the whale could mean it's safe,
0:20:24 > 0:20:27'but it could also be seriously ill in the river's deeper channels.'
0:20:27 > 0:20:30'If we take a run up towards the parapet
0:20:30 > 0:20:33'and see if we can come across it, over.'
0:20:33 > 0:20:36We've gone right down as far as the Squinty Bridge,
0:20:36 > 0:20:38- turned and came back so we've gone beyond the Kingston Bridge.- Right.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40But again the sandbanks and all there, we would see it.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44- So, best case scenario it's got into the channel and it's... It's doing its own thing.- Yeah.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46- It's nice to be wrong. - Yes, well, aye.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50It's almost midnight. The search has been extensive,
0:20:50 > 0:20:56but there's no sign of the whale. The operation is called off.
0:20:56 > 0:21:03It's a bit frustrating for them and for us that there's no definite end or closure to this story,
0:21:03 > 0:21:07but when dealing with something as rare as a bottlenosed whale,
0:21:07 > 0:21:11there's no reason why it should be certain.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16There is no rule book for it to go by, no reason why it should be clear cut.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22Later, two abandoned kittens pass their medical.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27- Very good. Nice healthy kittens. - It's unusual for such healthy kittens to have been dumped.
0:21:31 > 0:21:36Now we're back with Inspector Claire Ponsford in the East End of London.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40Earlier, Claire rescued an emaciated dog from a flat in the city.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44The dog was so hungry she was scavenging in the bins for scraps of food.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48Now it's time for her health and temperament to be assessed.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54Claire is on her way to the vet's.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56In the back of her van is Olga,
0:21:56 > 0:22:01the skinny dog that was left without food and water on a dirty balcony.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06I'm actually quite sad about this job, really, because it's just so unnecessary.
0:22:06 > 0:22:12She's a really lovely dog, but quite clearly never leaves the flat, is very nervous on a lead,
0:22:12 > 0:22:16claws are very long, didn't like going down the stairs.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20It's vital Olga gets a health check.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23At the surgery, Claire makes a quick assessment.
0:22:25 > 0:22:31She's not in too bad condition. I mean, she is underweight by about 10kg, so she needs to put on
0:22:31 > 0:22:36quite a bit of weight, but her skin looks quite nice and she's quite happy and alert in herself.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40She loves attention, she likes people and, you know, she's just...
0:22:40 > 0:22:43She's a really nice dog. It's such a shame, really.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46Claire believes the dog is a Hungarian Vizsla,
0:22:46 > 0:22:50an expensive breed and one that should be stocky and muscular.
0:22:56 > 0:23:01This dog's body shape suggest she's been denied food for some time,
0:23:01 > 0:23:05and her reaction to a bowl is yet more evidence of neglect.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12Now, that's a hungry dog. That's a dog that's not eaten for a while.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14Good girl.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16So far Olga's remained good-natured,
0:23:16 > 0:23:20but she is a big dog and has the potential to be aggressive.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Claire needs to know if she can be trusted.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29Dogs that have been starved or not been given food for quite some time
0:23:29 > 0:23:32can become really possessive of food, so it's quite an interesting test
0:23:32 > 0:23:37to remove the food bowl while it's eating and see what kind of reaction you get.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40This is a big test, especially for such a hungry animal.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Is that nice? Is that? Good girl.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Is it? Oh, waggy wags, waggy wags!
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Is that? Good girl.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53There's a good girl. There's a good girl! There you go.
0:23:53 > 0:23:58Thankfully, Olga passes Claire's table manners test with flying colours.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Re-homeable. Easily re-homeable.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Good girl!
0:24:02 > 0:24:04She's shown no aggression whatsoever, which is brilliant.
0:24:04 > 0:24:10You could put in a home maybe with young children that might get on the floor when she's eating or something.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12She's going to be fine.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16Within minutes, Olga has finished the bowl of food.
0:24:16 > 0:24:22She's actively seeking food all the time. This behaviour is looking for food. She's very hungry.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26But she's not just starving, she's also desperately thirsty.
0:24:26 > 0:24:32Good girl. Do you want some water? Would you like a bowl of water?
0:24:32 > 0:24:36Shall I put some water in there for you now? Look, there you go.
0:24:39 > 0:24:45With hunger sated and thirst quenched, time for Claire to turn her attention
0:24:45 > 0:24:48to what happens next to this unfortunate dog.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51If the owner comes forward then obviously she'll be encouraged
0:24:51 > 0:24:55to sign the dog over to the RSPCA.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58If she doesn't come over forward within a couple of weeks she'll be re-homed.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01I don't think we'll have any problem re-homing a dog that's as nice as that.
0:25:03 > 0:25:08Olga is now in safe hands, and will begin the road to recovery at the vet's.
0:25:10 > 0:25:15- For Claire though, there are still plenty of questions to be answered. - Bye bye, darling.
0:25:16 > 0:25:22She's determined to find out why such a lovely dog was left alone and starving on a dirty balcony.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35A few weeks later, and Claire is back on the road dealing
0:25:35 > 0:25:40with another complaint about animals being kept on a balcony.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43She's following up on an earlier visit to a flat where the owners
0:25:43 > 0:25:47were keeping dozens of chickens in cramped and filthy cages.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50This is the property here, with the washing on the line.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54It's the same situation as it was when we came before.
0:25:54 > 0:26:01The cages and boxes are full of birds and we've had information from one of the local housing officers here
0:26:01 > 0:26:04that they're still receiving complaints.
0:26:04 > 0:26:09The owner's been given a chance to improve things, but nothing's changed.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13Now it's time for Claire to get tough.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16Because he's received a warning notice on a previous occasion about keeping birds
0:26:16 > 0:26:20in unsanitary conditions on a balcony and from what we can see, those situations haven't changed,
0:26:20 > 0:26:26it justifies us escalating it to where they're getting removed, and he's facing prosecution.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33Today, Claire is joined by RSPCA inspector Imara Alagaratnam
0:26:33 > 0:26:37and two police officers. She's determined to take the animals away from the flat, no matter what.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41We are here with the police, could you open the door, please?
0:26:41 > 0:26:47Once inside, Claire discovers the situation is more serious than she first thought.
0:26:47 > 0:26:53There are young birds on the balcony, so they've been breeding since we were here before.
0:26:53 > 0:26:58- Claire wants a closer look. - You don't need to ask your husband, Madam, we're here with the police.
0:26:58 > 0:27:04And once on the balcony, it's clear why it's so important to rescue them.
0:27:04 > 0:27:09There's just numerous birds on the balcony, very young birds that are in quite poor condition.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12They're very thin, they're obviously not getting very well fed up here.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15There's lots of faeces and urine all over the balcony.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18It's very unsanitary, very unpleasant up here.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22The balcony has become a potential breeding ground for disease,
0:27:22 > 0:27:26but adult birds and their chicks have been forced to live here.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29We've put all the chickens into the Vari Kennel,
0:27:29 > 0:27:34but there's two pigeons here with a baby pigeon, so we need to put that in a different container and then
0:27:34 > 0:27:40need to just start dismantling some of these makeshift containers so that the gentleman doesn't get any more.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46As Claire continues the round-up...
0:27:46 > 0:27:50- That's it, mate.- Imara emerges with the first of the rescued birds.
0:27:50 > 0:27:56And there was no food or water for any of these animals in any of the pens, so they've got no access to it,
0:27:56 > 0:28:00and they're living in their own excrement, as you see from some of the litter trays that we've removed.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04After half an hour, Claire leaves the flat with the rest of the birds.
0:28:04 > 0:28:09We've got 14 chickens in here, most of them are in pretty bad condition.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12They're thin, they're scabby, they're quite clearly underweight,
0:28:12 > 0:28:15some of them are quite young.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17We're taking them down now to the forensic vet who is going
0:28:17 > 0:28:22to individually look at each bird and let us know how bad they really are.
0:28:22 > 0:28:27The chickens and the pigeon are taken to a vet surgery a few miles away.
0:28:27 > 0:28:34Here their condition will be recorded for use in any case against the owners.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38I think that both the chickens and the pigeons have been reared for food, quite honestly.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41I don't see any other reason why you would keep them there.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44They're certainly not pets.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47They don't have any interaction with the people in the flat or anything like that.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50The only logical explanation is that they are as a source of food.
0:28:50 > 0:28:56The checks start with the pigeon, and Claire believes it has been taken from the wild.
0:28:56 > 0:29:01This is a... It's certainly a bird that appears to be acting in a wild behaviour.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05Yeah, in a wild way. It's not used to being handled, it's not ringed,
0:29:05 > 0:29:09it doesn't have any tattoo markings on the wing, anything like that.
0:29:09 > 0:29:14The pigeon is given a clean bill of health and the vet shares Claire's suspicions about his origins.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17Well, the vet's recommendation is that this bird is suffering
0:29:17 > 0:29:20because it's a wild-caught bird, therefore I'm going to release it.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26Can you fly? Thank you!
0:29:26 > 0:29:30It's gone. It's flown away quite nicely, strongly.
0:29:30 > 0:29:35But for the chickens, there's no luxury of freedom.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39They're quite alert though, bless them, but they're in a bad way.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41Many are clearly going to take some time to recover.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45You can see the breastbone there, there is no meat on this bird at all.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48It hasn't got many feathers and things on top.
0:29:48 > 0:29:53This would almost certainly be either stress or from pecking from the other birds.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56It's not an area that it can peck itself.
0:29:56 > 0:30:02These will go down to a boarding establishment to get some condition and put on some weight,
0:30:02 > 0:30:07and look a bit more like chickens, and the result will be decided by the court.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11All the birds are checked and photographed for evidence,
0:30:11 > 0:30:15but it will be some time before their futures can be decided.
0:30:22 > 0:30:27Coming up, another day, another high-rise problem.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30- Were they out on the balcony? - This is kept open for him...
0:30:30 > 0:30:33So they can come and go all the time.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37In the last year alone,
0:30:37 > 0:30:43the number of animals dumped or abandoned has risen by 57% -
0:30:43 > 0:30:46that's a staggering 30 animals per day.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50The stories are always sad - dogs tied to lampposts, or,
0:30:50 > 0:30:55like Mr Jingles here, just dumped outside the RSPCA.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58And when the animals are so young,
0:30:58 > 0:31:02and it makes it even more upsetting and difficult to understand.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06On a street in Wigan,
0:31:06 > 0:31:11two kittens have been found dumped in a cardboard box.
0:31:11 > 0:31:17They've been taken to two separate addresses by the people who have discovered them.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21Now RSPCA inspector Lisa Lupson has been called.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25They're about three weeks old, which is slightly worrying,
0:31:25 > 0:31:30so we'll go to this house now and check on this kitten and then we'll try and find the other one.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34The babies will be frightened and missing their mum.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37Hiya, RSPCA.
0:31:37 > 0:31:43To help them feel safe, Lisa wants to reunite the siblings as soon as possible.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46- Do you want me to take it from you? - Yeah, you can do, there you go.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48- Thank you.- Hang on,
0:31:48 > 0:31:52- hang on.- Have you got... Hello, darling. Hello.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56The family here have tried to give the kitten the best start they can.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59We've given it milk, kept it nice and warm,
0:31:59 > 0:32:02kept an eye on it, looked after it.
0:32:02 > 0:32:07- Even though its stay was brief... - It's a shame it's been separated.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09You're very sweet, aren't you?
0:32:09 > 0:32:12For one of the foster carers, it's still a wrench to see it go.
0:32:12 > 0:32:18There's no need to cry, you've done the right thing. But to be honest because it's been found in a box,
0:32:18 > 0:32:24we do need to get it to the vet's and get it health checked and make sure that it's all right.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26Come on then, sweetie pie.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28Let's try and find your brother.
0:32:29 > 0:32:35I'm just going to just bob round to the other address where this other kitten has been taken,
0:32:35 > 0:32:38and then take them up to the vet's,
0:32:38 > 0:32:41and get them health checked up there.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47KNOCK Hiya, RSPCA.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50Inside, the family say they're thinking of keeping the kitten,
0:32:50 > 0:32:56but Lisa explains that taking on a pet is a decision not to be taken lightly.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58I mean, you've got to think it's not... Obviously it's very sweet,
0:32:58 > 0:33:01but it's going to grow up and it's going to need vet bills.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05Finally, the family agrees to let the kitten go.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07He'll be happy when he sees his brother.
0:33:07 > 0:33:14Thankfully, both kittens appear to be in good health, meaning Lisa can finally reunite the siblings.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19I've picked up a lot of kittens recently that have had symptoms
0:33:19 > 0:33:23of cat flu and taken them home and rehabilitated them.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26Obviously nervous, shaking a bit, so if I pop it
0:33:26 > 0:33:28in the cage.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32The two babies may have lost their mother, but at least they have each other.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34Hey, look who it is!
0:33:34 > 0:33:37And they seem comforted to be finally back together again.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39Reunited at last!
0:33:39 > 0:33:42We'll get you to the vet's now?
0:33:42 > 0:33:45Yes. THEY MIAOW
0:33:50 > 0:33:55Often, kittens are dumped because they have health problems.
0:33:55 > 0:34:00Lisa needs to get these two to the vet's as soon as possible.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04Vet Stephen Gilmore
0:34:04 > 0:34:07is ready and waiting to check them over.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11I just wondered, could you have a quick look at them and tell me what sex they are and just give them a...
0:34:11 > 0:34:14A bit of a health check and they'll be all right for re-homing, then.
0:34:14 > 0:34:15- Yeah, no problem.- Brilliant.
0:34:15 > 0:34:20The first one is clearly unhappy to be separated from his sibling.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24- Very vocal, this one.- Yes. - Under the watchful eye
0:34:24 > 0:34:29of his brother, he's given a full health check.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31His eyes are nice and clear.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34Again, no sign of viral infections or conjunctivitis.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36Just check him for fleas.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39- Absolutely spotless.- Really?
0:34:39 > 0:34:42- That's a first.- Yeah, he's fine.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46- You're fine, aren't you?- Thankfully, he's in pretty good nick.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50Now it's time for kitten number two.
0:34:50 > 0:34:56Generally the kittens, when they've been together, the condition of one will be the condition of the other.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59- Of all of them. - These two make a perfect pair.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02This makes their abandonment even more baffling.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05And these are the healthiest two kittens I've found for a while.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07Very good. Nice healthy kittens.
0:35:07 > 0:35:08It's unusual for such healthy kittens
0:35:08 > 0:35:13to have been dumped then because normally we're finding recently that kittens that have been dumped
0:35:13 > 0:35:16have got either symptoms of cat flu or something happening.
0:35:16 > 0:35:21The two kittens can now be put up for re-homing.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23- Thank you, See you soon.- OK, bye.
0:35:23 > 0:35:29But after their traumatic start in life, Lisa's hoping their close bond will not be broken.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31A week later,
0:35:31 > 0:35:38and both kittens have been snapped up and, thankfully, they've been kept together.
0:35:38 > 0:35:43They're now enjoying each other's company thanks to new owner Cyril Barnett.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51Today, Lisa has come round to see how the brothers are getting along.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53So, we've come to see your kittens.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56I'm very excited!
0:35:56 > 0:36:00Cyril's happy to have given the kittens somewhere they can both call home.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03There they are. Oh, they're so cute!
0:36:03 > 0:36:06- That's Gino and Pepe. - What are they called?
0:36:06 > 0:36:08- Gino and Pepe.- Gino and Pepe.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10Gino's the black one and Pepe's the black and white.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13Aww! Well, they look very settled on that big furry cushion.
0:36:13 > 0:36:17To see actually something that you've saved in its home,
0:36:17 > 0:36:22in its new environment - really happy and playful, it's just brilliant.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26Honestly, it's a really, really good feeling. Really good sense of satisfaction.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32Gino and Pepe may have had a frightening start to life,
0:36:32 > 0:36:36cruelly separated from their mother, and dumped all alone...
0:36:36 > 0:36:37You're a monkey. Yes, you are.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39Yes, you are.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43But now the future of these two brothers couldn't be more secure.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52Like all of us, animals need plenty of space in which to live
0:36:52 > 0:36:57and this can be a problem for people in small high-rise flats.
0:36:57 > 0:37:03In London, the RSPCA have been cracking down on pets abandoned on balconies.
0:37:03 > 0:37:10Inspector Claire Ponsford has already rescued an emaciated Hungarian Vizsla, and 14 chickens.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12Now it looks like she might have to help some more.
0:37:17 > 0:37:22They may be nice places to bask in the sunshine, but balconies are far from ideal for pets.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29- BARKING - Inspector Claire Ponsford has been told a balcony
0:37:29 > 0:37:33in this block of flats is crammed with noisy dogs.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37I've had a call about three dogs
0:37:37 > 0:37:42living on a balcony, and supposedly more dogs living inside this flat.
0:37:42 > 0:37:47I can't see any dogs on the outside balcony. We'll go and see what's happening.
0:37:52 > 0:37:57The main problem is from a danger point of view, obviously,
0:37:57 > 0:38:00that they could potentially jump or fall.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03Usually they're left out there without any food or water.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06Most balconies aren't sheltered.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08- Hello.- Hiya.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11Hello, I'm with the RSPCA. I've had a call about your dogs.
0:38:11 > 0:38:12- Why?- Can I come in for a second?
0:38:12 > 0:38:15You're not talking about the dogs down here which are kept out in the yard?
0:38:15 > 0:38:17- No, I've been given number 52, that's you.- All right, come in.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Can I come in for a second? Thank you.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Inside are two energetic dogs.
0:38:27 > 0:38:35And as owner Laura cleans up the mess from the night before, Claire wants to know where they're kept.
0:38:35 > 0:38:41- Were they out on the balcony?- This is kept open for him to go...- So they can come and go all the time.
0:38:41 > 0:38:42Because basically he's housetrained,
0:38:42 > 0:38:46- but as I say in the morning... - But he can't get through the night.
0:38:46 > 0:38:50In the night he goes out here like this. I mean, that's why it's a mess.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54I've just lifted it up, but that's what... I mop it every day. It's cleaned three times a day.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57- Oh, you're keeping it clean? All right, good stuff.- That's...
0:38:57 > 0:38:58That's just from last night.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01It's quite bad from last night.
0:39:01 > 0:39:06- The dogs are clearly quite boisterous.- They bark continually.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10And Laura tells Claire until recently things were even more chaotic.
0:39:10 > 0:39:16- I tell you why he could have called. - Oh, right.- I had my son's dog here.
0:39:16 > 0:39:22Well, that would make sense because we... The call was about three dogs on a balcony.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24- He's a big male dog, he's aggressive.- Yeah.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28- He's lovely with me, but it's not... - He's making too much trouble.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30And it causes him to play up.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34- Yeah.- And I've said to him I can't look after him any more because if I get caught for causing problems...
0:39:34 > 0:39:37No, you can't have three dogs here, really.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41Keeping such feisty dogs in a small flat is far from ideal.
0:39:41 > 0:39:47- I'm happy with what I've seen. Are you managing here with two dogs? - Yes, I've got...- Are you sure?- Yeah.
0:39:47 > 0:39:52But Claire is satisfied that these dogs are well cared for.
0:39:52 > 0:39:53That's a fairly routine call.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56She admits that they go out on to the balcony, but the door was open.
0:39:56 > 0:40:01I mean, you can see now that they're coming in and out of the balcony into the living room.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05The dogs are nice, friendly. She's got some very expensive food there.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08Don't really have any problems with them, really. They're vaccinated.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12I offered to microchip the other dog for her and I'll go back and do that in a couple of days.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15Just a lady who's got too many dogs in a small flat, really.
0:40:15 > 0:40:20Claire may be happy with the way these dogs are being kept,
0:40:20 > 0:40:25but the consequences of keeping dogs in confined spaces can be much more severe.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30Three weeks ago Claire rescued Olga, a Hungarian Vizsla,
0:40:30 > 0:40:32from a balcony in East London.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36She was neglected, underfed and close to starvation.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44Now Olga's piled on the weight,
0:40:44 > 0:40:48and is looking much more like a pedigree dog should.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55Before we took the dog out, she was emaciated. You could see pretty much every bone in her.
0:40:55 > 0:41:00Today with the amount of weight that she's put on, she looks very different.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03That's the whole reason to get these animals out and it's nice to see that
0:41:03 > 0:41:06they're happy in kennels and getting well looked after. It's wonderful.
0:41:09 > 0:41:14Today, Claire's at the kennels where Olga is being cared for to see how she's getting along.
0:41:16 > 0:41:21The environment that she came from to the environment that she's at now is just miles apart.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24She's out in green fields, she's getting exercise all day, every day,
0:41:24 > 0:41:28mixing with people, and it's obvious to see how much she's enjoying that
0:41:28 > 0:41:32from the way her personality has developed over the last few weeks.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39For Olga, like other animals Claire has seen trapped on balconies,
0:41:39 > 0:41:43the experience of the high life wasn't always a happy one.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47Claire's hoping Olga's next move will take her to a safe place
0:41:47 > 0:41:51where she can keep all four feet firmly on the ground.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54Yes, you are! Yes, you are!
0:41:56 > 0:42:00The owner of Olga, later found to be called Lily, was convicted
0:42:00 > 0:42:04of causing her to suffer and received a 10-year-ban
0:42:04 > 0:42:06on keeping all animals.
0:42:06 > 0:42:12If you think you know of a case of wildlife crime or a creature that needs immediate protection,
0:42:12 > 0:42:15remember there are dedicated professionals out there
0:42:15 > 0:42:18who will answer your call right around the clock.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21They are the people we meet on Animal 24:7.
0:42:23 > 0:42:29Next time on Animal 24:7, the tiny kittens crawling with fleas.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33Are these all the cats in the house now? Is this how many you own? So we've got one, two, three, four...
0:42:33 > 0:42:36- There's eight.- Eight cats.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38A tricky rescue for a trapped duckling.
0:42:38 > 0:42:42I'm just going to let it settle a second, Justin.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45Because obviously if the duckling is in there, we don't want too much
0:42:45 > 0:42:49water flowing in one go, so take it very carefully.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53And will Gus the Staffie live up to the breed's bad reputation?
0:42:53 > 0:42:59It all goes down to young lads who are out on the streets wanting a status symbol.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03A Staffie is quite a hard-looking dog.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:20 > 0:43:23E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk