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.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Today on Animal 24:7...
0:00:46 > 0:00:50heartbreaking scenes as a pack of 11 dogs are taken from their filthy home.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56You could see them coming down there. They were scared to death
0:00:56 > 0:00:59because they'd never been out of his garden.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01Which is horrible.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05A swan gets its stomach pumped.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09In a bird that's got a lot of lead, they're going to continue to absorb it
0:01:09 > 0:01:12through their gizzard because it grinds it down.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15They'll end up dying of their disease.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18And I'm on patrol at the Barnet horse fair.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23If there are animals there illegally they will be seized.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25If we need to arrest people, we will.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32But first to a story that shows what can happen
0:01:32 > 0:01:34when dogs aren't given the attention they need.
0:01:34 > 0:01:40RSPCA inspector Gary Eastwood has been told that 14 untrained Alsatians
0:01:40 > 0:01:42are living in one house.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44They've developed a pack mentality
0:01:44 > 0:01:49and Gary's worried about what could happen if they got out of the house.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Nottingham. RSPCA inspector Gary Eastwood is on his way
0:02:01 > 0:02:04to a difficult and potentially dangerous job.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11My worry is that if we try and get however many there is,
0:02:11 > 0:02:1312 or 14 German Shepherds out
0:02:13 > 0:02:17we may end up using graspers, which is not good for the dogs
0:02:17 > 0:02:19but we've also got a public safety problem
0:02:19 > 0:02:22in that if any of the dogs get off,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25they might be a little bit snappy.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Gary is determined to get the dogs away from the house
0:02:31 > 0:02:33so the police have been called.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37They can legally seize the animals if the owner refuses to co-operate.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Is he in?
0:02:43 > 0:02:45Hi, Mr Oppolio.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48We've come to talk to you about your dogs again.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50- All right.- Right.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53But the owner is happy to let the team inside
0:02:53 > 0:02:56where the dogs instantly make their presence felt.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59CHORUS OF BARKING
0:02:59 > 0:03:01But the welcome is short-lived.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06When we spoke to you last time, you mentioned wanting to sign some over
0:03:06 > 0:03:10- or not signing any over.- I don't want to sign any over.- You don't.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17The distressed barking next door gives an idea of the scale of this job.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22And a look outside reveals the horrific conditions
0:03:22 > 0:03:24these dogs have had to endure.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32The garden where they live is swimming in mud.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37With little shelter from the wind and rain.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42Gary spells out what's at stake.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46- You know this law we work under, the Animal Welfare Act.- Yeah.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49It basically gives rights to certain animals.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53It says all animals have to have enough room to express their normal behaviour.
0:03:53 > 0:03:59And enough human contact so they all get a good walk every day.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02I don't think you can be giving them enough exercise.
0:04:02 > 0:04:07You can't carry on like this. You'll get in trouble with us and the law.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11I'm trying to sort the situation out for you.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15- I don't want to take you to court and take all your dogs off you. - Well, take me to court.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22The owner is refusing to sign over any of his dogs.
0:04:22 > 0:04:23Gary's not making any progress.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Can we have a look at your dogs, then?
0:04:26 > 0:04:28He tries a different approach.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Are they all OK? All reasonably friendly?
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- Yeah.- We're not going to get bitten? - Oh, shouldn't do.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37The owner clearly can't control them.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Are you all right with them? Is everybody all right with this?
0:04:40 > 0:04:42- DOGS SNARL - Get back!
0:04:42 > 0:04:45With a ferocious response, he's beaten back.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52But the vet and Gary's colleague Sue must get a closer look at the dogs.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54They squeeze their way through to the kitchen.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Are you OK, Sue? Shall I put my foot behind the door?
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Gary mans the door to prevent the dogs escaping.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04I've got it.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08If Sue can't reach a compromise soon, the owner may be prosecuted.
0:05:12 > 0:05:17Unfortunately you can sort of see the attitude of the chap.
0:05:17 > 0:05:22He's not listening to any sense. We may have to take it a bit further.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25AGGRESSIVE BARKING
0:05:25 > 0:05:29And in the kitchen it's clear things inside are just as bad as outside.
0:05:29 > 0:05:34That's the floor. I'll shut the door quick if the dogs come in. I don't want them in here.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39Sue and the vet Ben Hughes soon emerge to give their verdict.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42And there's been a dramatic change of heart.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44Are you all right?
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Yeah. He's signing them over.
0:05:46 > 0:05:47Excellent!
0:05:47 > 0:05:49- Apart from three.- Fantastic.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55After considering what's at stake,
0:05:55 > 0:05:58the owner has realised he can't keep animals this way.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03But removing them is a messy job for all.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05Come on, Tess. Come on.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07The filth is not the only problem.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09That's a good girl.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14They're feral, petrified dogs.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23Covered in muck and grime, they have to be dragged towards the van.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26- Right.- Have you got the one this side?- Yep.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30I'll do the front. You do the back. Straight in.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34And these two are just the first of 11 that have to be removed.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36- All right, Sue?- Yes.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Some are even more reluctant to budge.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Backed into a corner, they still have the potential to be dangerous.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50Keeping her distance, Sue eventually persuades this one to leave.
0:06:50 > 0:06:51Come on, Bonnie.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57Others simply refuse to move.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01And there's only one option left.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03There we go.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05- Nellie.- Nellie. I'll write that on my hand.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09As the dogs continue to be loaded up,
0:07:09 > 0:07:13the vet spots one has been bitten by another member of the pack.
0:07:13 > 0:07:20I'll have to check her out cos she just got clamped on by one of the other dogs.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24These should be proud, handsome dogs,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27but they're almost unrecognisable as Alsatians.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Come on.
0:07:30 > 0:07:35And they're united in a loathing of being led or handled in any way.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39You do the front, I'll do the back. Go. Come on, Sabre. There you go.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43Gary simply can't understand the scale of this neglect.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47To look after a dog properly is not just a matter of feeding it.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50You could teach a chimp to feed a dog!
0:07:50 > 0:07:55That's not what ownership is about. It's about companionship, doing the best you can for them.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57This one is seven months old.
0:07:57 > 0:08:02At seven months old, it should get three good walks a day. But it's living in a back garden.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08- You don't want to walk anywhere, do you!- This way.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13You could see them coming down there. They were physically scared to death
0:08:13 > 0:08:16because they'd never been out of his garden -
0:08:16 > 0:08:18which is horrible!
0:08:19 > 0:08:23The team has to wait for reinforcements to arrive to take the last few dogs.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27This distressing job is not over yet.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33The animals were terrified on the short walk to the van.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37No-one knows how they'll react once they're taken away from their home for good.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46Still to come: the petrified dogs arrive at the kennels.
0:08:46 > 0:08:51That dog's hearing and smelling things that we can't begin to comprehend.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55It may be more scared now than when we got it out of the house.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59And Passport Control at the Barnet horse fair.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04- The question I asked was, "How many horses do you have?" - I told you five!
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Five. I said, "Do you have the passports for those horses?" You said yes.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11I didn't mean those others.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Swans often form close bonds with their mates.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21So if one becomes sick or injured and is taken for treatment,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24the rescuers have two problems on their hands.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26First, to treat the injury,
0:09:26 > 0:09:31then to get the animal back to the wild before their families reject them.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40East Winch wildlife hospital in Norfolk.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42There's an emergency admission.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46Animal collection officer Craig Plumtree
0:09:46 > 0:09:49found this injured swan on a nearby river.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52He's rushed it through to see vet Helen Osborne.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55One swan for you.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Lovely. Can you tell me what's happened to it?
0:09:58 > 0:10:05I found it with its partner. Its partner is nesting on about a dozen eggs, actually.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09It had blood all over the side of its wing. I managed to catch it.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13I had a quick look at it. It's got an injury under its wing.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17His cygnets may be just days from being born.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21It's vital this father is back with them as soon as possible.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26There's probably a lot of blood around here.
0:10:26 > 0:10:27Let's have a look.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Helen thinks the swan may have been attacked
0:10:30 > 0:10:33but then she spots a serious problem -
0:10:33 > 0:10:35a huge growth.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39Huge. I've never seen anything like this before in a swan's wing.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41It could be a haematoma,
0:10:41 > 0:10:46basically a bleed into the tissue around here caused from trauma.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55The priority is to take a closer look and try and establish
0:10:55 > 0:10:57exactly what it is.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02It does look quite bad and I think determining what this is here
0:11:02 > 0:11:05will probably determine the outcome, really.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Helen takes a sample to be analysed.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12All hopes of reuniting the bird with his family now
0:11:12 > 0:11:14rest on the results of these tests.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19We're probably looking about 50/50 at the moment.
0:11:19 > 0:11:25Depending on how he responds to treatment will depend on the outcome.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30All the team can do is wait.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39Over the other side of the surgery, there's another male swan pining for its mate.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42He was brought in a week ago.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46There were no obvious injuries, but the bird was struggling to walk.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52Then an x-ray revealed the problem. Worryingly,
0:11:52 > 0:11:54this swan has been poisoned by lead.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58This density here is a piece of lead.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02We've taken a blood sample and the levels are high.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Helen thinks the lead is probably from a fishing weight.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10These are now illegal, but old ones still remain
0:12:10 > 0:12:11at the bottom of lakes.
0:12:11 > 0:12:12Naturally,
0:12:12 > 0:12:17swans and other birds will eat grit and things like that to grind their food down.
0:12:17 > 0:12:23Often, they pick up lead shot when they're eating grit because it sinks to the bottom of lakes.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27The chances of birds recovering from lead poisoning are slim.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31But Helen and her team is determined to do all they can.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36The swan's stomach will be flushed in an attempt to remove the lead.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39It's a tricky and unusual procedure.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44If the animal's quite sick, they can die under anaesthetic
0:12:44 > 0:12:47so we like to stabilise them first to reduce that risk.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Obviously there's risk of rupturing their stomach as well
0:12:50 > 0:12:54but that's rare and happens in birds that are quite sick.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57It's the bird's only chance.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03In a bird that's got a lot of lead, they continue to absorb it through their gizzard
0:13:03 > 0:13:07because it grinds it down and then it goes into their bloodstream
0:13:07 > 0:13:10and they end up dying of their disease.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12The swan is secured to the table.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Helen begins the procedure.
0:13:18 > 0:13:23We tend to measure the tube so we know exactly how far we need to go in.
0:13:26 > 0:13:32With the tube in place, the nurse can now begin pumping the water.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35We're getting grit coming through so we know we're in the right place.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40So we just move the tube up and down gently.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Grit is clearly being flushed away.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46The question now is whether the lead has also been removed.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50We'll have a look through this for the lead shot to see if it's out.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53And take an x-ray as well, to make sure we've got it out.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00But the x-ray results aren't good.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03This is lead that's still inside his stomach.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Obviously all the grit's been removed
0:14:05 > 0:14:09so it may well be embedded in the stomach wall
0:14:09 > 0:14:14so it might not come out easily. We'll flush it again to see if we can remove it.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19Every minute under anaesthetic is a risk to the bird.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23This will be Helen's last chance to remove the lead.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32She scans the tray, searching for the lead.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35I can't see anything in there that looks very convincing.
0:14:37 > 0:14:42Helen now needs to do another x-ray to see if the procedure has worked this time.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47OK. This is the second x-ray after the second gizzard flush.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50As you can see, there's no more lead in the gizzard
0:14:50 > 0:14:54so it's been successful and the shot's been flushed away.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57It's brilliant news for the swan.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59The operation is over.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02What this bird needs now is to build its strength back up.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06But this means spending more time away from his mate.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10The longer they're apart, the less chance there is of a happy reunion.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18Coming up:
0:15:18 > 0:15:22the swan is fit for release, but will the team be able to find him?
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Oh, a nine-ten.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Oh, so close!
0:15:26 > 0:15:28It is going to be the last one.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32And Gary tries his best to win the trust of the terrified Alsatians.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37Most dogs, if you make a noise or whistle, they'll come up
0:15:37 > 0:15:39and either growl or wag their tail.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41These things do nothing.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44They just sort of... They just sort of ignore you.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53Today, I'm at the Barnet horse fair.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57It's a traditional event where travellers, gypsies and horse traders
0:15:57 > 0:16:01have been gathering to do business for over 500 years.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09I'm joining the police and the RSPCA to see how they monitor animal welfare at such an event.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15Our role here today as the RSPCA
0:16:15 > 0:16:19is obviously to ensure the welfare of all the animals here,
0:16:19 > 0:16:24be it equines, or, in years gone by, we've had problems with dogs in cars, even ferrets in cars.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27If there are animals that are there illegally
0:16:27 > 0:16:32they will be seized and the RSPCA will find a place of safety for them.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35If we need to arrest people, we will.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39This is how the day starts for Andy and the team,
0:16:39 > 0:16:43checking the horse boxes as they come in, making sure the horses are OK
0:16:43 > 0:16:48with the RSPCA's help and also making sure they have their paperwork in order
0:16:48 > 0:16:52if they're going to buy, sell and transport. Let's see how they're getting on.
0:16:56 > 0:17:01At this checkpoint, they look at each and every horse and vehicle that comes to the fair.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04'I'm not quite sure why the previous reports are wrong.
0:17:04 > 0:17:09'This last record I've given you has all the information on as far as I'm concerned.'
0:17:09 > 0:17:13This horse box is the latest to be given a routine inspection.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17He's going to come down and we'll have a look.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21The law now states that every single horse coming into the fair
0:17:21 > 0:17:22must have a passport.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26These include the age, colour and breed of the animal
0:17:26 > 0:17:27and their ownership details.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31They're a vital tool in preventing fraudulent trade.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40It soon becomes clear to PC Andy Wigley
0:17:40 > 0:17:42that something doesn't add up.
0:17:50 > 0:17:51These are all horse passports.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59We got a load of horses, love.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03Andy asks to see the passports for the five horses on the lorry.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09- Within all these passports, are there five for these five horses?- No.
0:18:09 > 0:18:10There seems to be a problem.
0:18:10 > 0:18:15- The question I asked you is how many horses do you have... - I told you five.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19Five. And I said do you have the passports for those five horses and you said yes.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22- I didn't mean...- You didn't mean those horses.- No.
0:18:22 > 0:18:27- We're satisfied...- What's the problem?- You can't move the horses without passports.
0:18:27 > 0:18:32This driver has 150 passports with him, but only five horses.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39To make matters worse, none of the passports match the animals he has in the lorry!
0:18:41 > 0:18:45Andy is worried that these horses may be traded illegally.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47He continues his enquiries.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52- What are you doing with them? - We're delivering them.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56- We're delivering them for a man. - Which man are you delivering for?
0:18:56 > 0:18:58- He's a dealer.- Is he?
0:18:58 > 0:19:00I'll just do some checks.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04Meanwhile, the RSPCA takes a closer look at the horses
0:19:04 > 0:19:06to ensure they're fit and healthy.
0:19:06 > 0:19:12We've got two bays, a white horse, a grey horse and a black-and-white horse.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14A little black-and-white one.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17Why is it so important to check vehicles coming in to the fair?
0:19:17 > 0:19:20If the horses are in transit for some time,
0:19:20 > 0:19:24we want to make sure they're fine and their welfare is OK.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28Have they been caused any injuries whilst in transit.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30The horses are well cared for.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33The men insist they're not planning to sell them.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39Andy decides that a diplomatic approach is the best way forward.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44You let those five horses through without passports. Why's that?
0:19:44 > 0:19:50The law changed on the first of September. It's only the fourth of September now.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52The reality is we're trying to educate them
0:19:52 > 0:19:54rather than enforce straightaway.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57Are you hoping to catch up with them on the site of the fair?
0:19:57 > 0:20:01- Another team are with them on the fair site at the moment.- Right.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05We will know if those horses are sold, which is an offence.
0:20:06 > 0:20:12It's mid-morning and the fair is in full swing. Traders and buyers gather to do business.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15This area here is known as "the flashing lane",
0:20:15 > 0:20:17where horses are shown off to potential buyers.
0:20:17 > 0:20:22Inspector Natalie Bartle is in charge of monitoring the welfare of the animals.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- What are you looking for?- That they're not over-riding the horses.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Making sure that they're not giving the same horse
0:20:29 > 0:20:33a lot of times up and down where it's exhausted.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35If it gets to that, I'll intervene.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39When they're getting exhausted, what are the symptoms? What can you see?
0:20:39 > 0:20:44Sweating heavily. And start having foam around the mouth.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48That's the time they need to be stopped to prevent exhaustion.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Everything seems to be going smoothly here.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00But over the other side of the fair, a van has been stopped for a routine check
0:21:00 > 0:21:03and investigations have uncovered a new problem.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05What's going on here?
0:21:05 > 0:21:11This vehicle partly has come to our attention because I believe it's in a dangerous condition.
0:21:11 > 0:21:17There's chunks of metal which are loose. They have three seven-week-old Jack Russell puppies
0:21:17 > 0:21:21and the lady has stated her intention is to sell them at the fair.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24And that's not acceptable.
0:21:25 > 0:21:30Despite the allegation, the owner is keen to introduce me to her puppies
0:21:30 > 0:21:33and quickly changes her story.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37- Celia, Mary and Emily. - How old are they?
0:21:37 > 0:21:40- Seven weeks old.- Seven weeks.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42It ain't against the law to have a puppy, is it?
0:21:42 > 0:21:46- It's not against the law, no. - I'm the original owner of them.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48- What's the problem? - Is the mum at home?
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- No, she died having them.- They look like nice little dogs.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53What are you taking them to the fair for?
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Cos everywhere I go, I takes them!
0:21:55 > 0:21:57They've got to be fed and watered.
0:21:57 > 0:22:02- You're not taking them to sell them? - No. I do sell dogs,
0:22:02 > 0:22:04but I'm not selling them. They're my dogs,
0:22:04 > 0:22:06what I'm keeping.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09Selling puppies at the fair is illegal.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13This owner's conflicting information is a cause for suspicion.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17The first thing that lady said to me was she was taking the puppies in to sell.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20As soon as I said, "You can't sell puppies",
0:22:20 > 0:22:22she changed her mind.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25This time I'm satisfied she's going in to sell those dogs.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28The reality is, when they get inside the fair,
0:22:28 > 0:22:33- it's impossible for us to regulate that.- What happens to the dogs if they can't go in to the fair?
0:22:33 > 0:22:37If the RSPCA are happy with the condition of the dogs,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40they can keep them, but can't go into the fair with them.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45RSPCA inspector Charlotte Eden begins her assessments.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49- Can I have a quick look at the puppies?- There you go.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53- Are they bred from one of yours at home?- Yeah, they are.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57- Is Mum with them today? - No, Mum died, darling.- OK.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59Why have you brought them today?
0:22:59 > 0:23:04There's nobody to look after them at home. They've got to be fed and watered.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08- They've got to be looked after. - How do they look to you?
0:23:08 > 0:23:14- They look in good condition. They're pot-bellied. Have you wormed them? - Yes, I have.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Whilst everything is OK with the puppies, there's an issue with the car.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23You cannot drive it on the road in that condition.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27The police have decided this car is unroadworthy
0:23:27 > 0:23:29and order the owner to take it for repairs immediately.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Regardless of the owner's intentions,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36the puppies won't be going to the fair after all.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42- You're taking them home now? - MAN:- Yeah, they're my kids' pets.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44I was only showing them off at the fair.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48- So you're allowed to take the van back?- As long as it's just me.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52- As long as there's nobody in it. - Thank you.- I'll shut the door on you.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57Who knows? Maybe he was going to sell them at the fair.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01Or maybe he was taking them out for the day.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05But because of the condition of the truck, he's got to go home anyway.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09And while the owner and puppies go on their way,
0:24:09 > 0:24:12the rest of the fair is winding down too.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17There are one or two horses still trotting by,
0:24:17 > 0:24:20but most people are packing up for the day.
0:24:20 > 0:24:25It's been a successful day for the community who've shown off lots of horses and made a bit of money
0:24:25 > 0:24:30and the police and the RSPCA were especially thankful
0:24:30 > 0:24:33that due to their work and with the backing of the community
0:24:33 > 0:24:38it's been a very successful Barnet horse fair.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Later: Dad's back, but will he be welcome home?
0:24:44 > 0:24:48I can see one swan with two cygnets a bit further down here.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50Right. Here we go.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52After you, mate.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Earlier in the programme, we saw how the RSPCA had been called to a house
0:25:01 > 0:25:04where a pack of potentially dangerous dogs
0:25:04 > 0:25:06were living in horrendous conditions.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Inspector Gary Eastwood and his team
0:25:09 > 0:25:11have already removed most of the dogs,
0:25:11 > 0:25:14but their job is far from over.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21With reinforcements on the scene,
0:25:21 > 0:25:25the last of these petrified dogs have finally left their home.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28It's been a stressful job for all the team.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31It's not a God-given right to own an animal.
0:25:31 > 0:25:32It should be a privilege.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36These animals have just existed.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40When we get to the kennels, they'll get inoculated, wormed, de-flead, bathed.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44See how muddy they are. It's just too many to have.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47These dogs didn't choose to live in this mud bath.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49They had to.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52Now they're being taken away.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56But their mental states are causing real concern.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01Because he's never had them on a lead, all they've known is the garden.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04One of them came out and it smelt some grass
0:26:04 > 0:26:09in his front garden and it was almost bewildered by it.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13It didn't want to leave this bit of grass because its senses were being overloaded.
0:26:13 > 0:26:18It saw other people, it saw vehicles and it saw a road.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20They've never seen these sort of things.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26The local kennels are just a few miles away.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29The dogs' nervousness shows no signs of letting up.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31Come on.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33Come on, then.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Watch the legs. Come on, Tess. Good girl. Good girl.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41These dogs have all behaved like a pack in that house.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45We're now at some kennels where there's perhaps 150 other dogs.
0:26:45 > 0:26:51That dog's hearing and smelling things that we can't begin to comprehend. It's probably thinking,
0:26:51 > 0:26:56"There's a big pack here." It may be more scared now than when we got them out of the house.
0:26:56 > 0:27:01So you've got to reassure them so that they think he's my little mate.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06They're now coming into the rescue centre thick and fast.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09This one, who's already been attacked by one of the other dogs,
0:27:09 > 0:27:11is in a state of shock.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14- All right, Sue? - Yeah, he's almost there.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18It looks a bit brutal, but it's better than getting a grasper on them.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20She desperately clings to the ground.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Eventually, though,
0:27:22 > 0:27:26with some gentle encouragement, she's coaxed over the threshold.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30She's just too scared. There's so much going on with the new surroundings,
0:27:30 > 0:27:35new smells and sounds, she can hear all the dogs in the kennels.
0:27:35 > 0:27:36Just too scared at the moment.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39She'll come round, though.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43This cycle of fear is going to take some time to break.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47As soon as they get sight of the other dogs kept here,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50a fresh bout of panic breaks out.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Back outside, there are more dogs to be brought in.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58These two are paralysed with fright.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03But although they look submissive,
0:28:03 > 0:28:05their mental state makes them unpredictable.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Gary does all he can to win their trust.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15I'm going to see what it does if I walk up here.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17This is your little bed up here.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19It'll be nice in here.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23You can see they're not wild
0:28:23 > 0:28:26but most dogs, if you make a noise like whistle, or "hello!",
0:28:26 > 0:28:29they'll either growl at you or wag their tail.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31These things do nothing.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35They just sort of... They just sort of ignore you.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40Split up from the pack, the dogs are safe enough for now.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44But this lack of response could point to deep-seated problems.
0:28:44 > 0:28:49And there's a danger their fragile mental state might make it impossible for them to be retrained
0:28:49 > 0:28:52as family pets.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02Still to come:
0:29:02 > 0:29:05The delivery dog often laughed about the jobs he had to do.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09Revolutionary therapy. But will it work?
0:29:09 > 0:29:13The dog doesn't have to go on a lead. It doesn't have to be stroked.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17It doesn't have to be brushed. It can literally sit and listen.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22Now it's back to RSPCA East Winch
0:29:22 > 0:29:25and the two swans that needed medical attention.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28Both had to be taken away from their mates.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32One was suffering from lead poisoning, the other had a tumour on its wing.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35Thankfully, this proved to be benign and was removed.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39Now both swans are back to full health and it's time for them to go home.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42But will they be welcomed back?
0:29:48 > 0:29:50Animal collection officer Justin Stubbs
0:29:50 > 0:29:55has arrived to collect the fully recovered swan to take it back to the wild.
0:29:55 > 0:29:56- Hi, Alison.- Hiya.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00Alison Chards has been caring for him during rehabilitation.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03How's he doing?
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Very good, actually.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08He's ready to go and he looks very well.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10A different swan to the one Craig brought in!
0:30:10 > 0:30:12- He looks very well now.- OK.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15The swan has been away from his family for over a month.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18There's a real worry they may reject him.
0:30:18 > 0:30:23It's been in for a while, having to heal, so whether it goes back to its family, we don't know.
0:30:23 > 0:30:24See what happens.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32But Justin is determined to try and reunite them.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36So the swan is taken an hour's drive away to the Norfolk fens.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42The last time this swan was on the river, his mate was sitting on eggs.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44He's huge!
0:30:45 > 0:30:47He'll know where he is.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51Now his babies have been born.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55Hopefully we'll end up with a nice emotional family reunion.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01But if she has met up with somebody, it could be a bit of a war!
0:31:03 > 0:31:08As Justin approaches the river, the family is spooked and move further downstream.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12I can see one swan with two cygnets a bit further down here.
0:31:12 > 0:31:18This is where we picked him up from. So this is where we release him, whatever happens.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21Justin finally catches up with the young family.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24Now it's time to see how they react to Dad coming home.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28I'm not going to go any closer to the river than this.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31He's just going to have to have a walk through the nettles.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36Right. Here we go.
0:31:36 > 0:31:37Up to you, mate.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45It's not the most graceful of descents.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50And the reception is far from welcoming.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55Mum's being really defensive at the minute, swimming with the head so far back.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59The aggressive fast swimming towards him.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02The male heads off down the river,
0:32:02 > 0:32:05putting some space between him and his new family.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10They've been apart for the better part of five weeks, now.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12They always run the risk of losing that bond.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18But after several minutes, the mother heads off too,
0:32:18 > 0:32:20following her old mate.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22It's hardly a romantic reunion,
0:32:22 > 0:32:24but this is a good sign.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28Hopefully, with time, they'll recognise each other again
0:32:28 > 0:32:30and all will be well!
0:32:38 > 0:32:42Back at East Winch, there's another swan waiting to go home.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47After his operation, the swan with lead poisoning
0:32:47 > 0:32:49has also made a full recovery.
0:32:50 > 0:32:55He's been recuperating with 20 other swans in the outdoor enclosure.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59Our swan looks absolutely fabulous. We're going to catch him up.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03It's been three months that he's taken to recover since his flushing.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06But he looks fabulous and he's ready to go back.
0:33:06 > 0:33:11But finding him amongst his companions is easier said than done!
0:33:11 > 0:33:15We'll have to corral them all in this corral that we use for cleaning the pens.
0:33:15 > 0:33:20Then we'll have to work our way through them. Of course, it'll be the last one!
0:33:20 > 0:33:25But when we get to the right ring number, we'll take it and put it in the bag.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31If we work them up that way. Pretend you're a sheepdog!
0:33:31 > 0:33:37With some skilful shepherding, Alison and Jenny herd the swans
0:33:37 > 0:33:38towards the gate.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43And the swans seem to be on their best behaviour.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45You as well, big fella!
0:33:46 > 0:33:49Alison has soon got them just where she wants them.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53Right. First part accomplished.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57There's a huge array of swans in here.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01We've got all sorts. Lead poisoning, fishing line,
0:34:01 > 0:34:03fishing hooks been pulled out of them.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Some are ready to go back, some are still recovering.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08We'll see if we can find ours.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10Let's give it a go, shall we?
0:34:13 > 0:34:15The search begins.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19Alison needs to check the numbered rings on the birds' legs.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26947. OK, not you.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31These swans are still recovering so go back to the enclosure.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38Finding the right swan is proving difficult.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40Oh, 910!
0:34:40 > 0:34:41Oh, so close!
0:34:41 > 0:34:43It is going to be the last one!
0:34:43 > 0:34:46But with only a few left,
0:34:46 > 0:34:48Alison spots a likely candidate.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50He looks quite well.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54And finally, her lucky number's up.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56I've got him. It is him.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58He did look well and it is him.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00Right. Good. Let's get him in the bag.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03Good stuff.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10This bird is also heading back to his mate.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13But he's been away from her for three months now
0:35:13 > 0:35:16and there's a real chance she might reject him.
0:35:19 > 0:35:20At the lake,
0:35:20 > 0:35:23the female seems to be waiting.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28But before the swan can be set free, there's someone else keen to greet him.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32Tony Barratt cares for all the birds on this lake.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35He's been anxiously waiting for the swan's return.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37- Hi, Mr Barratt!- Hello, boy!
0:35:37 > 0:35:40He's back. So is this where we're going?
0:35:40 > 0:35:43Yeah. Do you want a bit of bread?
0:35:43 > 0:35:47I don't imagine he does. I think he wants to get in there.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50You're home again! Shall we take him down to see the other one?
0:35:51 > 0:35:54The female soon spots her mate.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56And he seems keen to get to her too!
0:35:59 > 0:36:01Do you want to go in now?
0:36:01 > 0:36:03Do you?
0:36:03 > 0:36:06With a little helping hand and some final goodbyes,
0:36:06 > 0:36:08the swan takes the plunge.
0:36:10 > 0:36:12And heads straight to his mate!
0:36:19 > 0:36:23And after a little lap of honour to prove he's fully recovered,
0:36:23 > 0:36:26the lovebirds are together again.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29Getting animals back to the wild is the best part of our job.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32When they come back to a really good site like this,
0:36:32 > 0:36:34it's great!
0:36:42 > 0:36:44Finally, we're back in Nottingham
0:36:44 > 0:36:47where the RSPCA took away 11 Alsatians
0:36:47 > 0:36:49that were living in dreadful conditions.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52Many were feral and uncontrollable.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56The dogs were taken to kennels, but some were so unused to people,
0:36:56 > 0:37:00they since turned nasty, even attacking the kennel hands,
0:37:00 > 0:37:02so the safest thing to do was put them to sleep.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05But others showed no signs of aggression
0:37:05 > 0:37:09so for them, there is still some hope.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16This is Twilight and Mystery.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18They're scared,
0:37:18 > 0:37:22but staff are confident they're good-natured dogs at heart.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24Good girl.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28Kennel hands are now trying everything they can
0:37:28 > 0:37:32to help them overcome their fears and become confident family pets.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40They're undergoing a programme of alternative therapy
0:37:40 > 0:37:42to try and calm their nerves.
0:37:42 > 0:37:43Hello!
0:37:43 > 0:37:47Come on, then. Are you going to listen to a story?
0:37:48 > 0:37:53Today it's book therapy. This is a revolutionary theory
0:37:53 > 0:37:56based on the idea that reading to animals in a calming voice
0:37:56 > 0:37:59can help them trust people once more.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03Dasher, the delivery dog, often laughed about the jobs he had to do.
0:38:03 > 0:38:08It was lucky that he was such a lively, cheerful dog
0:38:08 > 0:38:12because his customers were sometimes very difficult.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15It's just part of a whole programme
0:38:15 > 0:38:18designed to help these dogs regain their confidence.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22The dog doesn't have to go on a lead, doesn't have to be stroked,
0:38:22 > 0:38:24doesn't have to be brushed.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27It can literally sit and listen.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31If a dog wants comfort, they get it. If they want to sit on their lap, they can.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35If the dog wants to sit in the corner and listen, that's what they'll allow.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37DOGS BARK DOWN CORRIDOR
0:38:37 > 0:38:40Twilight and Mystery's old home was far from ordinary.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43So staff are also introducing them
0:38:43 > 0:38:48to the smells associated with a more normal home environment.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52They smell different things on a daily basis. Food being cooked,
0:38:52 > 0:38:54school bags coming home,
0:38:54 > 0:38:57disinfectants you'd use to clean a kitchen and bathroom.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00This is to stimulate their noses, basically.
0:39:00 > 0:39:05In the evening we spray lavender oil, to give them a calming effect to go to bed on.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10This extraordinary rehabilitation programme
0:39:10 > 0:39:13includes a special diet and plenty of toys.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15You like it, don't you?
0:39:15 > 0:39:16Are you going to take it?
0:39:16 > 0:39:18Through all this treatment,
0:39:18 > 0:39:21Twilight and Mystery's personalities
0:39:21 > 0:39:23are finally starting to emerge.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27One of them, Twilight, she's extremely cheeky.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29She'll come up and take things.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32If you put a blanket down, she'll pull it around and go outside.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35It means she's got a nice character.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39The one at the back, Mystery, literally is a bit more mysterious.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41She doesn't want to come to us.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44She sits in the corner. She's extremely scared.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47Literally, only time will tell.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51We've all got our fingers crossed that it'll be a positive result.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56A few months later,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59and the difference in these two dogs is remarkable.
0:40:02 > 0:40:08To speed their recovery, they've been put in the care of animal behaviourist Anne O'Brien.
0:40:08 > 0:40:13She's spent years training thousands of pets at Battersea Dogs Home.
0:40:13 > 0:40:14Come on!
0:40:14 > 0:40:18When Anna first introduced me to Mystery and Twilight,
0:40:18 > 0:40:20they were glued in a corner of the kennel.
0:40:20 > 0:40:27They wouldn't come out, they were so reliant on one another. Nobody else came into the picture.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31A dramatic change was needed.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35For the first time in their lives, they had to face being on their own.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37First, we needed to separate them.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41They've both come out with different personalities and characters.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45The first thing we needed to do with them was get them out of the kennel
0:40:45 > 0:40:48and get them used to walking on a lead.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51They'd never been on a lead before and it was a shock to the system.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54So once they got used to that,
0:40:54 > 0:41:00we started to take them out in very quiet areas like this. Letting them explore themselves.
0:41:00 > 0:41:05It's quite intensive in time with the two of them.
0:41:05 > 0:41:10It's a fine line between mollycoddling them and reassuring them
0:41:10 > 0:41:14when they're exploring and doing all the activity they need to do.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18It's hard to believe these are the same dogs.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22Two months ago, their reaction to being on a lead was shocking.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26Both dogs were paralysed with fear
0:41:26 > 0:41:29having never been out of their previous home.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33But now the transformation is very encouraging
0:41:33 > 0:41:36and Anne is confident about their future.
0:41:36 > 0:41:42So far, they're both exploring, both coming out of themselves, both building confidence.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45Fingers crossed, we're well on the way with them
0:41:45 > 0:41:47and they're going to a new home.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59If you think you know of a case of wildlife crime
0:41:59 > 0:42:02or a creature that needs immediate protection,
0:42:02 > 0:42:06remember there are people out there to answer your call right around the clock.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10They are who we meet on Animal 24:7.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15Next time on Animal 24:7...
0:42:15 > 0:42:19Babe, the starved Great Dane reduced to skin and bone.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23The rib bones, you wouldn't expect to see them that prominently.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26This is an emaciated dog.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29A night-time pursuit in search of illegal poachers.
0:42:29 > 0:42:34Two reports from two separate witnesses on the same incident.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38I'd say the trail was pretty hot at the moment.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41He's a bit interested. He can smell it.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44And will this scaredy-cat take the bait?
0:42:44 > 0:42:49If the cat listens to the instructions I give it, it'll be a piece of cake.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52But I've a funny feeling it's not going to!
0:43:17 > 0:43:20Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd