0:00:04 > 0:00:06Britain's animals are under threat.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09All too often, our wildlife and domestic pets
0:00:09 > 0:00:13are the victims of cruelty, persecution and neglect.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Fighting to save them is a dedicated band of people,
0:00:16 > 0:00:19trying to protect and care for them around the clock.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22This is Animal 24:7.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46Today on Animal 24:7...
0:00:46 > 0:00:51Killing for kicks - a sickening attack on a family of swans...
0:00:51 > 0:00:53It doesn't matter how many times you see it,
0:00:53 > 0:00:55every job you go to always affects you.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58It shouldn't have to happen.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00The tiny kittens who miss their mum...
0:01:00 > 0:01:03These kittens are going to die if we don't intervene.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07And are these fish about to go down the pan?
0:01:07 > 0:01:09TOILET FLUSH
0:01:13 > 0:01:15For most animals,
0:01:15 > 0:01:18the first few weeks of maternal bonding are crucial.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21For kittens, it's recommended they stay with their mothers
0:01:21 > 0:01:23for at least two months.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26It's during this period that mother's milk
0:01:26 > 0:01:28is vital for nutrition and growth.
0:01:28 > 0:01:33So if they're taken away too early, their lives CAN be in real danger.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44On a Hull housing estate, two new-born kittens
0:01:44 > 0:01:46have sparked an RSPCA investigation.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Meet Trouble and Precious.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53They've just been sold by a man claiming they're seven weeks old,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57but during routine vet checks, the buyer was told they were more
0:01:57 > 0:02:00like four weeks old - much too young to be away from their mum.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05And Trouble and Precious weren't the only kittens in the litter.
0:02:09 > 0:02:14RSPCA inspector Sarah Keith has gone straight to the seller's house,
0:02:14 > 0:02:17hoping that no more kittens have been sold.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23Sarah is convinced this cat is the mother,
0:02:23 > 0:02:25and she's been locked outside.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27I can't see if there's anything in there.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31The cat is desperate to get in, leaving Sarah in no doubt
0:02:31 > 0:02:34that the remaining kittens are inside and they need their mum.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36KNOCKING ON DOOR
0:02:36 > 0:02:39These kittens are going to die if we don't intervene -
0:02:39 > 0:02:41they can't feed themselves.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46They need to be either bottle-fed by someone or, ideally, fed by Mum.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49And she's not able to get in the house so...
0:02:49 > 0:02:51There doesn't appear to be any answer.
0:02:51 > 0:02:56But Sarah and student inspector Nicky Cheatham can't see or hear the kittens.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58I can't see anybody.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01I can't see any cats.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Sarah's becoming as anxious as Mum to get inside.
0:03:06 > 0:03:07RSPCA!
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Being locked out away from her litter
0:03:11 > 0:03:14totally goes against the cat's maternal instincts.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18She's been doing everything she can to be a protective mother.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22The mother cat is being really defensive of this territory.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26She knows she's got young inside, or she thinks she's got them inside,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28and she's trying to protect them.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30She's just had a go at another cat
0:03:30 > 0:03:34and a dog that walked past the property, so she's being a good mum.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38But she's obviously not being allowed to do her job properly.
0:03:38 > 0:03:43Unable to get to the kittens, Sarah decides to have a closer look at this frustrated mum.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48She's obviously got enlarged teats.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50She doesn't seem...
0:03:50 > 0:03:52She seems to be quite dry which...
0:03:52 > 0:03:55If he's preventing her from feeding, that will happen eventually.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58She will just dry up and stop producing, but...
0:04:00 > 0:04:03She's all right - she's not too thin or anything.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07Not too bad. Just a bit scraggy, aren't you?
0:04:10 > 0:04:15It's clear no-one's in, so Sarah and Nicky head round the back...
0:04:18 > 0:04:20BARKING
0:04:20 > 0:04:25..where they're confronted by a large Rottweiler
0:04:25 > 0:04:28who's obviously not happy with the intrusion.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37But Sarah is desperate to see some sign of these kittens
0:04:37 > 0:04:40and isn't going to give up too easily.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- He's tethered.- He's tethered?- Yeah.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Fortunately, the dog is on a leash
0:04:47 > 0:04:50so Sarah is able to take a look through the back window.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54We can't really see if there's anything in there.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59There is a bowl, an empty cat-food bowl with quite dried cat food on it,
0:04:59 > 0:05:03and a bowl of water with some water in, but no sign of any kittens.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08Even though she still can't see any kittens,
0:05:08 > 0:05:10Sarah's not prepared to give up.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13She leaves a card, asking the owner to get in touch.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28It's now mid-afternoon, and Sarah and Nicky are back on the estate.
0:05:28 > 0:05:29KNOCKING ON DOOR
0:05:29 > 0:05:30The owner is home,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33but he doesn't want the inspectors to see the kittens.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38Right, if I need to, I can call the police and get us to do it that way,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41but I'm handling the kittens whether you like it or not,
0:05:41 > 0:05:43so I suggest you pass them over.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47He tells Sarah there is no way she's taking his kittens away.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50That depends on what they feel like when we get hold of them.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54Finally, though, he allows Sarah and Nicky to examine the litter.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59Hello. Hello, baby.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01He's adamant the kittens ARE seven weeks old.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03They're not seven weeks.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05Sarah's patience is wearing thin -
0:06:05 > 0:06:08she can tell these kittens are much younger than the owner is claiming,
0:06:08 > 0:06:13certainly too young to be separated from their mother.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Is it a male or a female, that one?
0:06:15 > 0:06:20I can't even tell - you're too tiny, aren't you? It's a little girl.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22The kittens aren't in good health.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24Sarah wants them signed over to the RSPCA
0:06:24 > 0:06:28so she can take them and Mum straight to the vet's,
0:06:28 > 0:06:30but the owner's not cooperating.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34Are you going to give me permission to take these cats or not?
0:06:34 > 0:06:35Right.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38It's time to apply a bit more pressure.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42Hi, I'm calling from the RSPCA. I need to request a police officer.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46It's regarding some kittens that are in very poor condition
0:06:46 > 0:06:49that have been taken away from their mother far too young.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Yeah, he's refusing to give me his last name,
0:06:52 > 0:06:54he's refusing to let us in the property
0:06:54 > 0:06:57and he's refusing to let us take the cats.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00After several minutes, the police are on the scene
0:07:00 > 0:07:02and the owner has a sudden change of heart.
0:07:02 > 0:07:07He agrees to sign over the kittens to the RSPCA.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11Although kittens can be weaned from around four weeks old,
0:07:11 > 0:07:14they're nowhere near ready to go it alone.
0:07:14 > 0:07:20They need their mother's milk to help them grow strong and protect them against infectious disease.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25This litter are finally back with their mum.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29And they're now on their way to the vet's to find out
0:07:29 > 0:07:33whether being kept away from her has put their lives in danger.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Still to come...
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Playing Mum - the large dog caring for two tiny kittens...
0:07:48 > 0:07:52This is Tia who is going through a phantom pregnancy
0:07:52 > 0:07:55because of the presence of these babies.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58She's been looking after them like they are her own.
0:07:58 > 0:07:59Well, done, big girl.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04And words of warning for a dog owner accused of smacking her pet.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06I'm just going to just warn you
0:08:06 > 0:08:08that it's illegal for you to hit your dog, OK?
0:08:08 > 0:08:11If you cause your dog an injury, you could potentially get
0:08:11 > 0:08:14a very, very big fine or go to prison, all right?
0:08:17 > 0:08:22It's a sad fact that an increasing number of animals
0:08:22 > 0:08:26end up dying at the hands of thugs just killing for kicks.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30Air rifles once used by kids just to take a pot shot
0:08:30 > 0:08:35at a tin can or two are often trained on defenceless creatures.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38In Gateshead, police have been called to a beauty spot,
0:08:38 > 0:08:42but the sight that greets them is far from pleasant.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53The tranquillity of this Tyneside nature reserve has been shattered
0:08:53 > 0:08:56by a fatal gun attack on a family of swans.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03The local police are first on the scene and they immediately call
0:09:03 > 0:09:07RSPCA animal collection officer Jackie Thorpe.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10We received a phone call this morning from the police alerting us
0:09:10 > 0:09:14that there were four dead cygnets and one dead male swan.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16The mother is still alive and we think
0:09:16 > 0:09:18they appear to have been shot.
0:09:18 > 0:09:25RSPCA inspector Tony Jackman begins the grim task of removing the dead swans from the water.
0:09:25 > 0:09:32It doesn't matter how many times you see it - every case, every job you go to always affects you.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34It shouldn't have to happen.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Then, assisted by a police diver,
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Tony turns his attention to the cygnets.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45I can see an injury on this one.
0:09:45 > 0:09:50Yeah, that one's had one straight through the neck there, it seems.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53That might have died quickly, that one, thankfully.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57This is the male swan. He seems to have an injury on his head.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00I think this is where the pellet's gone in.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Here we've got one of the young cygnets
0:10:02 > 0:10:04with a wound injury to his neck there.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08It's been very distressing for members of the public walking past
0:10:08 > 0:10:12because they've been following them since they've been born.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15Then, when they've come past this morning with the dogs...
0:10:15 > 0:10:17To find them in this state must've been horrendous.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20They discover that the swan is ringed.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22ZZ-45-08...
0:10:22 > 0:10:27A note is taken of its number so the Swans Trust can be told of his death.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31- That's it. - Brilliant. Thank you very much.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35As awful as this massacre is for the local community,
0:10:35 > 0:10:40it's heartbreaking for the remaining female. Swans form strong bonds
0:10:40 > 0:10:44with their mates and are extremely protective of their young.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48On top of that, she's injured and needs help.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51So, I think if we start off over here
0:10:51 > 0:10:54and sort of head through in this direction...
0:10:54 > 0:10:58As Tony plans the rescue, Jackie can assess her condition from dry land.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04We haven't seen her close up. When she's been swimming on the water,
0:11:04 > 0:11:07it looks like she's got two injuries to her neck and one to her head.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10But she's swimming well. So we're hopeful for her,
0:11:10 > 0:11:12if we can get her to the vet soon.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Tony and the police diver take to the water with swan hooks
0:11:16 > 0:11:20to try and catch the female, but they need to be careful.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24Even when it's injured, catching a swan can be challenging.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28The two inspectors, at the moment,
0:11:28 > 0:11:31they're going to try and go round either side
0:11:31 > 0:11:34and try and catch her and bring her back to shore.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36But if not, they'll drive her back towards the shore.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42It's very, very stressful for them to be caught.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48While they're on the water, they've got a much quicker advantage over us,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50whereas if they can get her towards the land,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53we'll have a better chance of catching her.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Tony's just trying to put a swan hook round her neck.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02The swan will be traumatised by the loss of her mate and cygnets.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05She is understandably wary...
0:12:05 > 0:12:07She's hiding under the bushes now.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10..but she needs medical attention.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Even though she doesn't know what's good for her,
0:12:13 > 0:12:14Tony and the rescue team do.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18She's heading over to where the male was.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22The swan seeks refuge in thick reeds where hooking her will be difficult.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26Time for plan B - driving her towards the shore.
0:12:26 > 0:12:32Getting through the bank of reeds will be harder for the inspectors, because it'll slow them up.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Oh, but now she's coming towards us.
0:12:34 > 0:12:35- Ready, Jackie?- I'm here.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- Just keep coming. - She's coming your way.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43Bring her back towards me, Tony. I might be able to get her from here.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Oh, well done.
0:12:49 > 0:12:56The swan is covered in blood. If she had been left in the water any longer, she may not have survived.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Brilliant that we've caught her.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01So, we can try to get her straight up to the vet's now,
0:13:01 > 0:13:04and get her treated, hopefully.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07As well as the wound on her back,
0:13:07 > 0:13:10the swan appears to have been shot in the head.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14- It's the top, isn't it?- Possibly one injury on the top there.
0:13:14 > 0:13:15The swan bag keeps the wings down
0:13:15 > 0:13:18and it keeps the legs trapped in as well,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21so that they can't thrash around and hurt themselves.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Now they've seen the extent of the injuries,
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Jackie must get the bird treatment and fast.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32Meanwhile, the rest of the family will become evidence
0:13:32 > 0:13:33in a criminal investigation.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Depending on their age,
0:13:35 > 0:13:39they could be entitled to have an air rifle,
0:13:39 > 0:13:40but it's actually using it...
0:13:40 > 0:13:44And certainly, taking shots at wildlife is against the law.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46We take it very seriously indeed.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50And in terms of the public, they view it very seriously as well.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53These are their birds, that's the way the local community see it
0:13:53 > 0:13:55and they want something done about it.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57The locals waste no time in responding.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00A witness has already reported seeing a car
0:14:00 > 0:14:02in the area at the time of the shooting.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05This information may lead the police to the culprit.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09It's encouraging news,
0:14:09 > 0:14:13but it doesn't help the rescuers understand such a senseless crime.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17People have been passing all the time, seeing them growing up,
0:14:17 > 0:14:18you know, from eggs.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21There's people here crying their eyes out that this has happened.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26Somebody's come along here and just sat there and taken shots at these birds.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Little defenceless birds like this and they've killed them.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33It's absolutely unbelievable. I cannot get my head round it.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41Coming up...
0:14:41 > 0:14:45On the vet's table the injured swan faces an uncertain future...
0:14:45 > 0:14:5050-50. Just depends how much damage has been done underneath the skin.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54And a family reunion for the litter of kittens.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57She's gone straight for the small black one
0:14:57 > 0:15:01and just licked it so it's sodden. She's recognised them straight away.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03It's now feeding fantastic.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05Good girl.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08What a good mum. She's brilliant.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Hitting your dog is an offence and, if your pet is injured,
0:15:14 > 0:15:16you could be prosecuted,
0:15:16 > 0:15:20but what if your dog does something you feel really needs punishing?
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Say it growls at a child.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26For many, the instant reaction might well be to lash out,
0:15:26 > 0:15:29but as I discovered when out with the RSPCA,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32this is absolutely the wrong thing to do.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40It's a hot, sunny day in London
0:15:40 > 0:15:44and I'm on the road with RSPCA inspector Claire Ponsford.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50Our first call is to a flat in the north of the city
0:15:50 > 0:15:55where there's been an anonymous complaint about an owner who's been seen hitting her dog with a lead.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59It's quite a difficult one for you -
0:15:59 > 0:16:01you're unlikely to catch them in the act.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03What can you do, assuming you don't?
0:16:03 > 0:16:08It's almost impossible to prove unless, obviously, the dog is injured
0:16:08 > 0:16:12and the person, the owner, hasn't taken it to see a vet for some reason.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15It's really an advice call, just to let the person know
0:16:15 > 0:16:18that we're aware, that we've had a call about them.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20- And you've got your eye on them.- Yeah.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Won't they cower a bit, the dogs?
0:16:23 > 0:16:25They can show signs of nerves and of fear,
0:16:25 > 0:16:29behaviour being not quite as you would expect.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35'The owner answers, but not in the conventional way.'
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Hello! I'm with the RSPCA.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40We've had a call about a dog at your flat.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43I need to come and have a look, please, madam. Can you let me in?
0:16:49 > 0:16:51OK, that's fine. Thank you.
0:16:51 > 0:16:56- A towel.- Gone to get a towel? So, she's possibly underdressed.
0:16:56 > 0:16:57I think she was.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59The owner does eventually appear...
0:16:59 > 0:17:01fully robed.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08Hello, madam. I'm with the RSPCA. I've had a call about a dog.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10Can I come in? Thank you very much.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Hello, sweetheart. Come on.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14What's he or she called, the dog?
0:17:14 > 0:17:17- Honey.- Honey. It's a girl, is it?
0:17:17 > 0:17:19'The dog seems friendly enough...'
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Hello! Oh, you're weeing.
0:17:22 > 0:17:23Oh, dear, that's not good.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25- Does she do that a lot?- No.- No.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30'..but her little accident immediately gives Claire cause for concern.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32'It could be a sign that she's nervous around people.'
0:17:32 > 0:17:37I'd had a call that somebody had been seen hitting your dog with a chain,
0:17:37 > 0:17:39with a lead or something like that.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42It was... What can I say? Naughty.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45The dog was naughty? Right.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49- I said to it, "Naughty," that's it.- Right.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52How often do you do that to the dog?
0:17:52 > 0:17:54- How often do you hit the dog? - No. No, no.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- Just once.- Just the once, OK.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00If it's just the once, I'm just going to just warn you
0:18:00 > 0:18:02that it's illegal for you to hit your dog, OK?
0:18:02 > 0:18:04If you cause your dog an injury,
0:18:04 > 0:18:08you could get a very, very big fine or go to prison. All right?
0:18:08 > 0:18:12'Hitting a dog is a serious offence and Mrs Eskabar is lucky here
0:18:12 > 0:18:14'to get off with a warning,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17'but Claire still wants to know why she hit her dog.'
0:18:17 > 0:18:20What did she do yesterday, then, that was so naughty?
0:18:20 > 0:18:26- You know, because she try to say, "Grrr!"- To growl?
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Growl, that's it! And I say, "You're naughty,"
0:18:29 > 0:18:33because she likes to play with the children.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37Dogs do that because they're on the same level as them and the same size.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41That's a good thing, it's good if she's socialised with the children,
0:18:41 > 0:18:44but if you hit her when she's playing with the children,
0:18:44 > 0:18:48she might get more nasty so it's not a good thing to do.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51No. Lovely, lovely...dog.
0:18:51 > 0:18:52It looks nice.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Yes, everybody likes her.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58'As the dog was growling at her grandson,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01'Mrs Eskabar thought she was doing the right thing.'
0:19:01 > 0:19:04Growling at the children doesn't sound like a great idea.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06What should you do with a dog like this?
0:19:06 > 0:19:10Training is about using the tone of voice, so it's about a firm "No,"
0:19:10 > 0:19:13moving her away, shutting the door. OK?
0:19:13 > 0:19:17By hitting the dog or something like that, you reinforce the behaviour
0:19:17 > 0:19:20and give the dog the attention that she was looking for.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24So you just need to move the two apart, ignore the bad behaviour.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27And when she's good, when she plays nicely with the children,
0:19:27 > 0:19:29give her a treat, give her lots of fuss.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32She will very quickly learn that if she growls,
0:19:32 > 0:19:35she can't play with the children.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37'Claire is reassured this was a one-off incident.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40'Honey is showing no signs of distress.'
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Well, thank you very much for your time today. Thank you.
0:19:43 > 0:19:49'Claire is happy to leave her in a home where she's clearly loved and cared for.'
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Well, that all turned out rather more productive than I expected.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55Yeah, it's rare that anyone admits to hitting their dog.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58- Yeah, yeah.- Turned out really well.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01She's listened to advice and I think a lot of it will sink in.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05It proves that sometimes allegations seem awful and it's the other way.
0:20:05 > 0:20:06Good.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16'While it's tempting to join the rest of London's cafe society
0:20:16 > 0:20:17'soaking up the sunshine,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20'it's on to the next job with Inspector Ponsford.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22'This call could easily be a hoax.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25'It certainly sounds a bit fishy to me.'
0:20:25 > 0:20:28We've got a rather unusual case of goldfish being kept
0:20:28 > 0:20:32in a toilet cistern in a restaurant. Brought your fishing net, Claire?
0:20:32 > 0:20:35This is quite an interesting one, isn't it?
0:20:35 > 0:20:37It's a good one for a sunny afternoon.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40It seems comic, but do you have to take it seriously, this stuff?
0:20:40 > 0:20:44We do. I mean, the fish are still protected to a certain extent.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47It's a genuine complaint from a member of the public,
0:20:47 > 0:20:48so I investigate it.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- And you can't have them flushed away.- No, we can't.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53'This could be our catch of the day,
0:20:53 > 0:20:58'but first we need to reel in the bar manager, Byron Knight'
0:20:58 > 0:21:01We've received a call about the fish in your toilets. Can I come and look?
0:21:01 > 0:21:02Of course you can.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07'I wait with baited breath to see what's prompted the complaint...'
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Oh! Look at that!
0:21:09 > 0:21:13'..and I'm shocked that fish are indeed kept in the toilet.'
0:21:15 > 0:21:18So they are ACTUALLY in your cistern, so what happens?
0:21:18 > 0:21:20No, they're not. Pull the handle and see.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Can I pull the chain? This is quite good, isn't it?
0:21:24 > 0:21:27'Just one pull gives the impression
0:21:27 > 0:21:30'that the fish in the tank are going down the pan.'
0:21:30 > 0:21:31Wow, look at that!
0:21:31 > 0:21:32'But it's just an illusion -
0:21:32 > 0:21:36'a pretty convincing one, especially if you've had a drink or two.'
0:21:36 > 0:21:38- Got these in the gents?- I have, yes.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Can you check there's no-one in, so I can have a look, sir?
0:21:41 > 0:21:46- I can check in this one if you want. - Thank you. You've got two in there?
0:21:46 > 0:21:48Yeah.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51There they are. A couple of goldfish in the gents as well.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53It does give you something to look at.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Let's try the flush.
0:21:59 > 0:22:00Brilliant.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02'It's a clever gimmick.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06'But joking apart, I'm keen to know if this really
0:22:06 > 0:22:09'is a suitable environment for a goldfish.'
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- Claire, have you any issues with this?- I don't.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15This is probably one of the cleanest fish tanks I've seen, to be honest.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18- The fish look happy. And you've had them?- Seven months.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20And that's quite a long time, to be honest,
0:22:20 > 0:22:23for goldfish in particular, to survive.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25They're obviously happy in that environment
0:22:25 > 0:22:28and he's providing everything they need.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32I'd say it's all panned out fairly well.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- THEY LAUGH - Flush with your success.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37- Thank you very much. - You guys are very welcome.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39'So, at the end of the day,
0:22:39 > 0:22:42'that's one call that's had us all well and truly taken in...
0:22:42 > 0:22:46'hook, line and sinker.'
0:22:49 > 0:22:50Still to come...
0:22:50 > 0:22:54investigations begin to find the killer of a family of swans.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58We'll send them now for forensic tests and hopefully be able
0:22:58 > 0:23:00to match up the pellets
0:23:00 > 0:23:03to the weapons that were seized earlier on today.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11Now we return to the story of six kittens taken away from their mother.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15Two, Trouble and Precious, have already been sold.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18After a bit of persuading from the police,
0:23:18 > 0:23:21the owner agreed to sign the other four over to the RSPCA.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25Now it's a question of whether the kittens will survive.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36RSPCA inspector Sarah Keith arrives at Swanbridge vets in Hull
0:23:36 > 0:23:38with four tiny kittens and their mum.
0:23:41 > 0:23:47The litter has had a good feed after finally being reunited, but they're still very weak.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Their owner told Sarah they're seven weeks old,
0:23:52 > 0:23:56but the vet confirms these kittens are probably just four weeks old...
0:23:56 > 0:23:58You are a bit skinny, aren't you?
0:23:58 > 0:24:01..far too early to be completely weaned.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05Each baby gets a thorough examination from the vet.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09The main concern is Dotty who's the weakest of all.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11You're a bit skinny too, aren't you?
0:24:11 > 0:24:15They've been deprived of regular milk from their mother,
0:24:15 > 0:24:19so they're all susceptible to illness and injury.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23The vet's examined the kittens, some of them are quite thin.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Not too bad to the point where they're emaciated
0:24:26 > 0:24:28and they've actually been caused to suffer,
0:24:28 > 0:24:32but I don't think it would've been long before that happened
0:24:32 > 0:24:34if she hadn't been allowed to feed them.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37So I'm really pleased we've managed to get them out tonight
0:24:37 > 0:24:40and we haven't had to leave it another day. She's happy.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43She was really stressed before, but she's obviously really happy
0:24:43 > 0:24:46now that she's reunited with her babies.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49The family are clearly happy to be back together,
0:24:49 > 0:24:51but the reunion isn't complete.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58It's early the next morning, and Sarah is back on the road.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01She's on her way to collect the two kittens who'd already been sold.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10The woman who bought them, who wants stay anonymous, phoned the RSPCA
0:25:10 > 0:25:13when she discovered the kittens were much younger than she had been told.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19The two babies, called Trouble and Precious,
0:25:19 > 0:25:21have been calling for their mum.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26And Sarah quickly discovers that something incredible
0:25:26 > 0:25:28has been happening in this house.
0:25:30 > 0:25:35The large family Rottweiler has taken on the role of surrogate mother for these two tiny kittens.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38This is Tia. She's actually started producing milk
0:25:38 > 0:25:42and she's been looking after them like they are her own.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44Well, done, big girl.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46She's going to have to go to the vet's.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49Unfortunately Tia's got to have the vet see her now,
0:25:49 > 0:25:52because, obviously, she's producing milk
0:25:52 > 0:25:54and she's experiencing this phantom pregnancy,
0:25:54 > 0:25:57but she hasn't got any babies of her own to suckle from.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00So she will have to go to the vet's and be sorted out,
0:26:00 > 0:26:02but what a clever girl.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Tia is not actually feeding these kittens...
0:26:06 > 0:26:08Is this one of your babies?
0:26:08 > 0:26:11..so the owner has had to step in at meal times.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14They've been being bottle-fed every couple of hours
0:26:14 > 0:26:16with a special solution for baby animals.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18It's no good giving them milk
0:26:18 > 0:26:20or anything that's come from cow or otherwise.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23It has to be specially formulated for young animals.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27Had they been left with Mum for long enough, none of this would be necessary.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30So when we reunite them, she'll take straight back to them
0:26:30 > 0:26:32and there won't be any further issues.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36And then, once they're old enough to be weaned and fully strong,
0:26:36 > 0:26:38then we can return them to their new owner.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41I purposely left the blanket in the basket yesterday
0:26:41 > 0:26:43that she was on with the other kittens,
0:26:43 > 0:26:46so hopefully the scents will cover up anything they smell
0:26:46 > 0:26:49of them being in a different environment.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53Tia's not the only one who's been looking out for the new arrivals.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56There's also another older kitten called Leila.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59She's a ten week old kitten, nearly ten weeks old,
0:26:59 > 0:27:02so if we compare and contrast - this little one is supposed
0:27:02 > 0:27:05to be eight weeks, according to the person that sold it,
0:27:05 > 0:27:07and this is ten weeks old.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10We know this is ten weeks old, that's not eight weeks old.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Now it's time for Tia to say goodbye.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18If it's all right with you, I'm going to take these kittens
0:27:18 > 0:27:20and reunite them with their real mum, but well done.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25She clearly doesn't want to let them go.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27Yeah, they're going to go in there.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31And Leila doesn't seem too keen either.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Oh, he's so tiny.
0:27:33 > 0:27:39So tiny. You go in there, darling. There you go.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41Sorry, Leila.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43There's a good girl.
0:27:45 > 0:27:46Oh, good girl.
0:27:49 > 0:27:50Good girl.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54If all goes well, Trouble and Precious will be back in a couple of weeks.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56Bye! Thank you.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00And that can't come soon enough for Tia.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08Although they've been well cared for,
0:28:08 > 0:28:11what these two really need now is their real mum.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13Right, let's have a look.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16But first, they need to see the vet.
0:28:16 > 0:28:17Can I have a look, babies?
0:28:17 > 0:28:21They're very skinny, though. Very bony.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25They're just not getting enough, are they, these kittens?
0:28:25 > 0:28:28They look like ragamuffins, these two, don't they?
0:28:28 > 0:28:33These two obviously have had the advantage of being bottle-fed
0:28:33 > 0:28:37every few hours from the lady who luckily picked them up,
0:28:37 > 0:28:41but nothing's as good as Mum's milk so hopefully,
0:28:41 > 0:28:44when she gets back onto it, they'll all be brightening up.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47And now the time has come for Trouble and Precious
0:28:47 > 0:28:50to finally join the rest of the family,
0:28:50 > 0:28:52but it's not THAT straightforward.
0:28:52 > 0:28:58They've spent five days in a new home, being cared for by a Rottweiler.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05Sarah's worried that Mum won't accept them.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10Look, darling, there's your babies.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13Who's that? Oh, good girl!
0:29:13 > 0:29:15Straight away, she's licking away.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21But thankfully, it's like they've never been apart.
0:29:21 > 0:29:27You recognise them, even though they smell of Rottweiler! Good girl.
0:29:30 > 0:29:31Clever girl.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34Snuggled straight in.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36Good girl. What a good mum.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38She's brilliant.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41She's gone straight for the small black one
0:29:41 > 0:29:43and just licked it so it's sodden.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45She's recognised them straight away,
0:29:45 > 0:29:47it's now feeding fantastic.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51They're going to smell funny, cos they've been without her for a week,
0:29:51 > 0:29:54but she's gone straight in and licked them
0:29:54 > 0:29:57to get her own scent on, so I'm well pleased with that.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01It's another successful reunion for Sarah,
0:30:01 > 0:30:03but after all that time away from Mum,
0:30:03 > 0:30:07these kittens are much weaker and more fragile than they should be.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10The next few weeks will be critical.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20Still to come...
0:30:20 > 0:30:24One of the kittens is left behind after breaking her leg.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27It's not just a combination of the time of weaning,
0:30:27 > 0:30:31it's that it didn't get the best nutrition once it had left its mother.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33In fact, I think it hardly got any nutrition.
0:30:36 > 0:30:41Now we're back to the story of a family of swans shot by an air rifle.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44The father and four cygnets were killed,
0:30:44 > 0:30:47the mother was found with blood stains on her back
0:30:47 > 0:30:49and a gunshot wound to the neck.
0:30:49 > 0:30:56Information from the local community has led police to two youths whose car was seen in the area.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59They've now confiscated an air gun they think was used.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03Meanwhile, the mother has just arrived at the vet's.
0:31:12 > 0:31:18The lone survivor of the multiple swan shooting on Tyneside urgently needs medical help.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23RSPCA officer Jackie Thorpe has brought her
0:31:23 > 0:31:26to the Berwick Swan Trust where she'll be examined by the vet.
0:31:26 > 0:31:31Well, it feels to me as if it's almost gone in there and out here.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33We'll soon find out with an X-ray this evening.
0:31:33 > 0:31:39David can't feel any air-gun pellets but he'll need to do an X-ray to be certain.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41I think what we're going to do, just now anyway,
0:31:41 > 0:31:44is give her painkillers and some antibiotics.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52The priority now is to ease the bird's pain.
0:31:53 > 0:32:01After such a bleak start to the day, Jackie is relieved that the swan now has a chance of recovery.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03She travelled up really well, she was very quiet.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07She started hissing when I pulled up, so I knew that that was a good sign.
0:32:07 > 0:32:13The next few hours will determine how seriously injured the traumatised bird is.
0:32:13 > 0:32:1750-50. Just depends how much damage has been done underneath the skin.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19You're up against the back of the throat here.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22There's a lot of very important veins and arteries going up.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24To the brain, for example.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26If they happen to have been damaged...
0:32:26 > 0:32:29They could have brain damage, a lot of damage done to them.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33For now, the swan needs to rest and be left to recover in peace.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37I like to look on the bright side and make sure it's positive for her.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41For Jackie, her work is not yet over.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44This is one of the dead ones that was found on the pond...
0:32:44 > 0:32:48The bodies of the dead swans now need to be examined.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52Anything David finds will form part of the criminal investigation.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59David immediately finds a foreign body with his scalpel.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02The suspicions are correct. It's an air-rifle pellet.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04Here it is. You can see that in there.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08Can you see it there? Air rifles weren't all that powerful,
0:33:08 > 0:33:11but now they can pump them up and they get them
0:33:11 > 0:33:14very near as powerful as a .22, and that is a lethal weapon.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17If that hit a child in the eye, something like that,
0:33:17 > 0:33:21it could blind them or even kill them. So, you know, it is lethal.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25The size of the pellet compared to the size of the cygnet's neck...
0:33:25 > 0:33:30It's quite big in comparison and we know for definite they've been shot,
0:33:30 > 0:33:33so we'll send them now for forensic tests and hopefully be able
0:33:33 > 0:33:35to match up the pellets to the weapons
0:33:35 > 0:33:37that were seized earlier on today.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44A few days later, and the surviving mother swan is X-rayed.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46Thankfully, there's some good news.
0:33:46 > 0:33:51The X-ray shows the pellet hasn't caused any serious damage.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55David removes it and is now confident the wound will heal.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05Two months on, and the injured mother
0:34:05 > 0:34:09has made a remarkable recovery - her wounds have healed
0:34:09 > 0:34:12and she's even made friends with two other birds.
0:34:13 > 0:34:18She's done SO well, that she's now ready to go back to the wild.
0:34:20 > 0:34:21She seems not too bad.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24She's, if anything, the most belligerent of the lot!
0:34:24 > 0:34:25She's a lovely swan.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28There are no external signs of her wound.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31The swan has a green mark sprayed on her neck,
0:34:31 > 0:34:34so she can be identified among her new companions.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36We're going to take it out.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39We'll catch it first of all and then have a good look at it.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41Check... Feel how the wing's feeling
0:34:41 > 0:34:45and then take them down to the river and release them.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47Makes the job really worthwhile.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50Hello, girls. What are you doing, then?
0:34:50 > 0:34:53With the help of two colleagues, Richard and Barry...
0:34:53 > 0:34:54Steady, pet.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56..the swans are rounded up
0:34:56 > 0:35:00and David gives his patient a final examination.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04Fine. Absolutely fine, in point of fact.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06And after being given the all clear,
0:35:06 > 0:35:12it's into the swan bags which will protect the birds on their journey to their new home.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14There's a good girl.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17The release site on the River Tweed
0:35:17 > 0:35:21is a long way from Gateshead where the shooting took place.
0:35:23 > 0:35:29David is hoping this will help the swan start a new life in a place that holds no bad memories for her.
0:35:29 > 0:35:30Quite heavy, aren't you, pet?
0:35:33 > 0:35:36And she wastes no time.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39Within a few minutes, the swan is on the water...
0:35:39 > 0:35:42Lovely to see them go, though, isn't it?
0:35:42 > 0:35:45..closely followed by her companions.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49They look very happy now.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51When you see them going off onto the river again,
0:35:51 > 0:35:53it makes it all worthwhile.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56There's no doubt, no matter how much work you do on them,
0:35:56 > 0:35:58if you can actually get them back to the wild,
0:35:58 > 0:36:02and see them going back to the wild, it makes a lot of difference.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08It's been a traumatic few months for this swan,
0:36:08 > 0:36:11but as she heads off with her new friends,
0:36:11 > 0:36:13the future is now much brighter.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21And a few weeks after that release,
0:36:21 > 0:36:24a 17-year-old admitted killing the swans
0:36:24 > 0:36:27and possessing an air gun while under 18.
0:36:27 > 0:36:33He was given a Referral Order and required to pay £60 in costs.
0:36:33 > 0:36:39Finally, back to the story of the six kittens taken away from their mother while far too young.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42Two of them were sold at just four weeks old,
0:36:42 > 0:36:45but after a police intervention,
0:36:45 > 0:36:49the rest WERE signed over by the owner to the RSPCA.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52When we last saw them, all six had just been
0:36:52 > 0:36:57reunited with their mother, but they faced a critical few weeks.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05At Swanbridge vets in Hull, there's mixed news.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08Mum has gone back to her home, Trouble and Precious
0:37:08 > 0:37:11are back with their surrogate mother, the Rottweiler,
0:37:11 > 0:37:15and new owners have been found for the rest of the kittens...
0:37:15 > 0:37:16apart from one.
0:37:18 > 0:37:23Dotty has a broken leg, so she's been left behind at the vet's.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27Being deprived of mother's milk
0:37:27 > 0:37:30can leave a young kitten weak and fragile.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34Dotty broke her leg shortly after arriving six weeks ago.
0:37:34 > 0:37:39It was so bad that vet John Levison thought they'd have to amputate.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43This is Dotty... The little kitten's, left hind leg.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46OK? Back leg.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49And if you look here, it's quite obvious
0:37:49 > 0:37:53the ankle, the equivalent of your ankle, is in the wrong position.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56That's what it should look like,
0:37:56 > 0:37:58and that little piece of bone has come off.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02Premature weaning doesn't help them growing,
0:38:02 > 0:38:04mother's milk's the best,
0:38:04 > 0:38:07in which case there may be an underlying weakening of the bone.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10It's not a combination of the time of weaning,
0:38:10 > 0:38:12it's just that it didn't get the best nutrition
0:38:12 > 0:38:16once it had left its mother. I think it hardly got any nutrition.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Dotty's had a pin put in her leg
0:38:18 > 0:38:21and she's been stuck in a cast for weeks.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23Come on, then, Dotty.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Today is a big day for her.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29The vets are removing the cast to see if the leg is healing properly.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35This is a tough procedure for a young kitten,
0:38:35 > 0:38:36so she'll need an anaesthetic.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42First, the leg is shaved.
0:38:42 > 0:38:47Then John administers the anaesthetic, which quickly takes effect.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50Oh, sweet dreams. Nighty-night.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53There you are, just gently let her go that way.
0:38:53 > 0:38:58With Dotty fast asleep, John starts to cut away the cast.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02He's hoping the leg is in the correct position.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08Touch wood, if this heals as we'd like,
0:39:08 > 0:39:11there should not be any long-term effects.
0:39:11 > 0:39:16John is worried that Dotty could end up with a permanent limp or arthritis later in life.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21With the bandage removed, he can take a proper look at the injured leg.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25That's a nice straight line.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28Right.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31Check the pin's not bothering above there.
0:39:31 > 0:39:37No signs of discharge. The alignment... Nice pink toenails.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39Right, smell it.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43There's no nasty smells, cos often you can smell an infection.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45So we're dead chuffed with her.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48I think probably two more dressings and that'll do us.
0:39:48 > 0:39:54Young growing cat - heals quickly. Happy with the alignment, so yeah, we're happy at this stage.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58We're always cautious, because if you say, "Everything's fine, love,"
0:39:58 > 0:40:01and then it isn't, then you look a bit of a Charlie.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04But honestly, I'll be disappointed if this one doesn't do fine.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08Dotty's leg is put in a fresh cast.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12She's well on course to make a full recovery...
0:40:12 > 0:40:16but has still some way to go.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19This little kitten has had a difficult start to her life.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22She now needs plenty of rest and more time to heal.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34A month later, and at a nearby foster home,
0:40:34 > 0:40:37Dotty has come on leaps and bounds.
0:40:38 > 0:40:43The cast has come off and she's got a bit of company.
0:40:43 > 0:40:48Dotty's spent most of her short life at the vet's,
0:40:48 > 0:40:52so she's staying with foster carer Andrea Mitchell for a bit of luxury.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56Absolutely spoilt rotten. She's my baby now.
0:40:56 > 0:41:01Not for good, just for as long as she needs it.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05Then, she'll be taken to the homing centre and somebody can adopt her.
0:41:05 > 0:41:10But before that, Dotty still needs plenty of rehabilitation.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13If we compare her two back legs together,
0:41:13 > 0:41:16we can see how her broken one is MUCH thinner
0:41:16 > 0:41:20and we can see where she just needs to build the muscle.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22That shouldn't be a problem,
0:41:22 > 0:41:26because Dotty's certainly not afraid of exercise.
0:41:28 > 0:41:32And it's great to see this playful kitten making up for lost time.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35It's been very tough. She's only 16 weeks now,
0:41:35 > 0:41:40so she's spent half of her life in the veterinary hospital already.
0:41:40 > 0:41:45So she's probably missed out on half of her life of playtime,
0:41:45 > 0:41:49but she's soon making up for it. She's fine.
0:41:49 > 0:41:50She's a gorgeous girl.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02I'm pleased to say that all the kittens are thriving
0:42:02 > 0:42:05and Dotty found a home just three weeks later.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08If you think you know of a case of wildlife crime
0:42:08 > 0:42:10or an animal that needs help,
0:42:10 > 0:42:13remember there are dedicated professionals out there
0:42:13 > 0:42:16who'll answer your call right around the clock.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20They are the people we meet on Animal 24:7.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25Next time on Animal 24:7...
0:42:25 > 0:42:26Hello!
0:42:26 > 0:42:30..catching up with an owner who's neglecting her pet...
0:42:30 > 0:42:31We've been told by a neighbour
0:42:31 > 0:42:35that when she saw my van outside the property, she went.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39Which makes me worried that there's something wrong with her dog.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43..rescuing the animals from a sanctuary in crisis...
0:42:43 > 0:42:47People would come and dump animals, tie them to the front gates.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49It just got to the point of total saturation.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51..and I meet some old friends.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54It would've been one of the kites released
0:42:54 > 0:42:56the last time you visited us here in 2006.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00That one's out there in the wild, doing what kites are supposed to do.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02- I gave that bird its freedom. - Absolutely.
0:43:12 > 0:43:15Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:15 > 0:43:18E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk