0:00:03 > 0:00:05Britain's animals are under threat.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09All too often our wildlife and domestic pets
0:00:09 > 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 > 0:00:44'Today on Animal 24:7...'
0:00:44 > 0:00:47DOG BARKS
0:00:47 > 0:00:51'..scared and unsure, the young dogs leaving their sheltered life...'
0:00:51 > 0:00:53It's a problem of over-breeding,
0:00:53 > 0:00:58particularly of dogs like border collies who can be difficult to train and need a lot of attention.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03'..an anxious wait to see if this baby will come around from surgery.'
0:01:03 > 0:01:06You want them to wake up after everything they've been through,
0:01:06 > 0:01:10but sometimes they don't wait from the anaesthetic and they do pass on,
0:01:10 > 0:01:12so it is always a nerve-wracking time.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16'And on the frontline against smuggling with Cleo, the customs canine.'
0:01:16 > 0:01:19What interesting animal products has Cleo found?
0:01:19 > 0:01:24- Recently she found a bear's foot. - Well, that's absolutely illegal. - Illegal on so many levels.
0:01:25 > 0:01:32Border collies are known to be amongst the most intelligent of dogs, but also the most demanding.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35Full of energy, they need lots of exercise but can also be
0:01:35 > 0:01:41quite nervous, so if they lack the basic training or socialisation
0:01:41 > 0:01:46they can quickly develop behavioural problems which can be very difficult to solve.
0:01:54 > 0:02:00At this isolated farm on the outskirts of Buxton in Derbyshire,
0:02:00 > 0:02:05the owner's love affair with collie dogs has got out of hand.
0:02:05 > 0:02:11RSPCA inspector Rachel Andrews and her colleagues have been having problems here for a number of years.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17The main aim for today is to keep reducing the numbers.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21We have managed to greatly reduce them so far and removed a couple of litters of puppies
0:02:21 > 0:02:24and several of the adult dogs.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33These border collies have spent their lives on this farm.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36Most of them are untrained and unsocialised.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38Unfortunately, they all live together
0:02:38 > 0:02:42so they've turned into almost like a pack of dogs now and they're just
0:02:42 > 0:02:46breeding indiscriminately, which is where major problems arise.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54The RSPCA has taken away a number of dogs over the years.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Today, Rachel and her team have come for at least two more.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Hi, there. How are you?
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Rachel wants to stop the dogs here breeding.
0:03:03 > 0:03:08Her first course of action is to persuade the owner to sterilise some females.
0:03:08 > 0:03:09She offers a free visit to the vet.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Which ones was it you need to get spayed?
0:03:11 > 0:03:16- Was it two or three? - That one keeps having these black 'uns that nobody wants.
0:03:16 > 0:03:17Well, get her done first then.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19When can you get them down to Roverdale?
0:03:19 > 0:03:25- If we book you in, I can ring them and tell them to bill the branch for the spaying.- Yeah.
0:03:25 > 0:03:30The owners agree to get one of them done. Rachel quickly ties them to their word.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Right, I'm going to book her in to Roverdale now.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37Hi, there, it's Rachel, one of the RSPCA inspectors.
0:03:37 > 0:03:43'The vet visit is booked - now Rachel can concentrate on the dogs she wants to take away.'
0:03:43 > 0:03:47Which ones were you telling us about last week? You were saying there was
0:03:47 > 0:03:49a bitch that possibly...
0:03:49 > 0:03:51- Yeah.- ..you wanted to sign over? - Yes.
0:03:51 > 0:03:57The farmer wants to sign over an adult dog called Daisy who's proving to be a bit of a handful.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01- Is she generally temperament-wise OK? - Oh, she's daft as a brush.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Maybe she needs to be in a home with no children, a bit of training.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07She'll have to have somebody who will play ball with her.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11- Were there any others?- Yeah, there's that other black one.- Right.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13'He wants to give Rachel one of Daisy's puppies,
0:04:13 > 0:04:20'but when he tries to separate him from the pack inside, a commotion quickly breaks out.'
0:04:20 > 0:04:22DOG WHIMPERS AND BARKS
0:04:24 > 0:04:30'With one adult straining to see the light, the young puppy finally emerges.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34'He's terrified and seems completely bewildered by what is happening.'
0:04:34 > 0:04:36You look like my doggie, you do.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- Have you got him?- Who's this one?
0:04:39 > 0:04:41- OK, sweetie.- Just call him Ali.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43- Ali.- He will be a grand dog, he will.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45Ali's only about four months old.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50His behaviour suggests he may never have left this house.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53All right sweetheart. Has he been on the lead before, Chris, or not?
0:04:53 > 0:04:59- No.- OK. So we need to get him... - You're all right.
0:04:59 > 0:05:05'This scared puppy will now be taken away from this isolated farm, to begin life in the big wide world.'
0:05:05 > 0:05:07All right, sweetheart.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11'A quick assessment suggests that Ali could also have been bullied by the older dogs.'
0:05:11 > 0:05:14On his face, he's got scratches across his nose
0:05:14 > 0:05:17and around his face. All the ones we've had signed over have that.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20I think it's when they've been fighting for the food in the house,
0:05:20 > 0:05:23because they're all getting fed together.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28The bigger dogs are getting the food first and the younger ones fight to get what's left.
0:05:31 > 0:05:36We'll just go and get the second dog now that he wants to sign over.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40This is the female that he's having training problems with,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- so we'll get her and get her loaded into Rachel's van.- OK.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47Daisy is taken by Rachel's colleague.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51I'll go get her in the van then.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55And her lack of training quickly becomes clear.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57Come on.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00Collies are intelligent dogs and normally obedient.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Come on, sweetie.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07But like Ali, Daisy has been left frightened and confused.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Come on.
0:06:09 > 0:06:15It's clear getting these two dogs used to life away from their remote home is going to be difficult.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19We see things like this often. It's the problem of over-breeding,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22particularly of dogs like border collies who can be difficult to train,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25need a lot of attention, a lot of exercise,
0:06:25 > 0:06:27and really should only be going to experienced homes.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30When they're not getting that, problems arise.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33They've started fighting, they've not been on the lead before,
0:06:33 > 0:06:37but generally they seem like nice dogs so they're just going to
0:06:37 > 0:06:40need a bit of work, and then they should be fine, hopefully.
0:06:40 > 0:06:45With Daisy and Ali safely in the van, Rachel ties up the paperwork.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49She's now confident progress has finally been made here.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53He needs to be working with us, which he is at the moment,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56so we'll start getting the dogs spayed that need to be,
0:06:56 > 0:07:00then we'll take it from there, keep coming back and see how he's getting on.
0:07:02 > 0:07:08For Daisy and Ali though, the long road to their new life has only just begun.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17'Later...'
0:07:17 > 0:07:21The puppy looks like he's been fed just before we arrived, so he's been quite sick.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26I don't think he will have travelled before, so he has been fairly sick.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31'And an Aladdin's cave of contraband at the UK's busiest airport.'
0:07:32 > 0:07:36This one here has a price on it, which was £3,400.
0:07:36 > 0:07:41You can see why the animal doesn't stand a chance if it's got that kind of price on its head.
0:07:44 > 0:07:50Britain has over 10,000 miles of coastline, providing a haven for all sorts of wildlife.
0:07:50 > 0:07:55But wherever these animals gather, there are always some who might need a helping hand.
0:07:55 > 0:08:00Thankfully, there is one centre perfectly placed to deal with these coastal casualties.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08West Hatch, Somerset.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14It's 10am and an urgent case has just arrived.
0:08:14 > 0:08:15What have you got here, Natalie?
0:08:15 > 0:08:18'It's an injured bird with a suspected broken leg.'
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Oh, quite a small one.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24'Staff have nicknamed this fledgling herring gull Steven Seagull,
0:08:24 > 0:08:29'after this little action hero landed himself in a spot of bother.'
0:08:29 > 0:08:35And I see its leg is bent here where it's broken it.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38A lot of them nest in roofs and sometimes they fall off the edge.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43If it has fallen from a height, it might have more fractures than just this one in its leg
0:08:43 > 0:08:48so I'm just checking there's nothing out going on. OK, wee guy.
0:08:48 > 0:08:53'Vet David Cooper can see that Steven is in a lot of pain.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57'He needs to examine him thoroughly to assess the full extent of the damage.'
0:08:57 > 0:09:02That's fine. So it's standing on the other leg well, but you can see the bend in the left leg.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07I'm hoping there's no fractures of the pelvis or anything we can't see from the outside
0:09:07 > 0:09:10that would make a more guarded prognosis. We'll give him some pain relief
0:09:10 > 0:09:14and we'll give him some fluids to make sure he's fit
0:09:14 > 0:09:17and then we'll knock him out and x-ray him.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21'Only an x-ray will tell David how serious Steven's injuries are.'
0:09:23 > 0:09:28'But for such a young bird this is an incredibly risky procedure.'
0:09:28 > 0:09:31There's always a danger when you're anaesthetising
0:09:31 > 0:09:33animals and birds particularly,
0:09:33 > 0:09:37but obviously this is something we're doing very frequently, so we have
0:09:37 > 0:09:40a lot of experience of doing it.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44'Vet nurse, Natalie Stahl will monitor Steven closely throughout the x-ray.'
0:09:44 > 0:09:51So we're going to x-ray his whole body just in case we miss any fractures elsewhere.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59After ten minutes, the results are back.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03This is the fracture that we found, in the middle of
0:10:03 > 0:10:07the bone, which is good news from the point of view of trying to repair it.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11If we look at elsewhere, at the pelvis and at the wings,
0:10:11 > 0:10:16there doesn't seem to be any sign of any other fractures going on, which is good news.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21Steven hasn't suffered any serious internal injuries, but he now faces
0:10:21 > 0:10:25a delicate and complicated operation to repair his leg.
0:10:25 > 0:10:30And the longer he's under anaesthetic, the greater the risk.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34I'm going to put two pins through the bone below the fracture site
0:10:34 > 0:10:38and two above, and that will provide stability while it heals.
0:10:39 > 0:10:45Every added minute under anaesthetic puts a strain on Steven.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47So now all the pins are in place.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52After 30 minutes, the operation is over.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04Now the team faces an anxious wait to see if this tiny bird will come round.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08You want them to wake up after everything they've been through,
0:11:08 > 0:11:14so, um and all being well, they should, but there is the odd time
0:11:14 > 0:11:20where they don't wake up from the anaesthetic and do pass on, so it is always a nerve-wracking time.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26With a little encouragement though, Steven finally wakes up.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30Well, the operation went really well, so we've got high hopes for him.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33The anaesthetic ran smoothly, he was stable throughout,
0:11:33 > 0:11:37and hopefully it will be a great success.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44Five weeks later, and Steven is fully recovered and all grown up.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50But the team now has another problem.
0:11:50 > 0:11:56The bird has been living in this outside aviary with 100 other convalescing gulls...
0:11:56 > 0:11:58and it's impossible to tell which one is Steven.
0:12:02 > 0:12:08Today, Shaun Clements and his team are planning to catch and release 40 of the fittest and healthiest birds.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13It's trying to pinpoint the good flyers and then pouncing on it.
0:12:13 > 0:12:19Steven will have a scar on his leg from the operation so Shaun should be able to recognise him.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24- Chase him down this way. - But first, he'll have to catch him.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27One small herring gull.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29Shaun works quickly.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33He's already caught 20 gulls, but there's still no sign of Steven.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36Exactly which one he is, heaven knows.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43After half an hour, 40 gulls are netted and boxed.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47But after examining each one, the team has failed to find Steven.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49One herring gull.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52He'll have to wait for another day to be released.
0:12:52 > 0:12:58In a couple of days time we'll repeat the process until eventually, we're down to zero.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08For now, Shaun takes the birds several miles away to the Steart
0:13:08 > 0:13:11nature reserve on the Severn Estuary,
0:13:11 > 0:13:15a perfect location to send the seagulls back to the wild.
0:13:15 > 0:13:22We spend our days cleaning up after them, getting them into good health, for this exact moment in time.
0:13:28 > 0:13:34We give them a second chance and now it's up to them, and fingers crossed they will do well.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48'Coming up, on the edge - a daring rescue for two mountain goats.'
0:13:48 > 0:13:53If they've been down there for a while, they're not getting the proper nutrients from the grass,
0:13:53 > 0:13:57then they will feel it, so on a welfare aspect we need to get them off.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03'And Ali the puppy struggles to adjust to life in the outside world.'
0:14:03 > 0:14:07She'll be nervous at first, because she hasn't been in kennels on her own
0:14:07 > 0:14:11and is only young, and so we'll let her settle in and see how she's getting on.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14Hopefully, she'll be fine.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27Have you ever wondered what could be hidden amongst all the bags coming through the carousel?
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Well, for a team here at Heathrow, that's more than idle curiosity.
0:14:31 > 0:14:37They're on the frontline of preventing the trade in endangered species, and I'm off to see them.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45London Heathrow is the world's third busiest airport,
0:14:45 > 0:14:50with around half a million flights and a staggering 67 million people
0:14:50 > 0:14:52passing through its five terminals every year.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58But Heathrow's not just a transport hub for people,
0:14:58 > 0:15:03millions of animals also travel through the airport every year.
0:15:09 > 0:15:17Most travel legitimately but others, like these illegal immigrants, have been smuggled in suitcases.
0:15:19 > 0:15:25Mandy Bentley and her dog Cleo are the UK Border Agency's first line of defence to prevent
0:15:25 > 0:15:30illegal and prohibited goods entering the country,
0:15:30 > 0:15:33from food to animal skins.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36That's fine, just one line, past the dog for me.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Cleo's trained to sniff out any contraband items which
0:15:39 > 0:15:43may be contained within a traveller's luggage.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- Hi, you must be Mandy.- I am, yeah. - Hi. And is this Cleo? - This is Cleo, yeah.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49- Are you having a busy day? - Quite busy, yeah.
0:15:49 > 0:15:54- Tell me how it works. You're here at the entrance to customs, obviously.- We are.
0:15:54 > 0:15:59We basically screen as many passengers coming in from outside Europe as possible.
0:15:59 > 0:16:05Today, we're concentrating on Dubai, and we just want to screen every passenger that comes in
0:16:05 > 0:16:10from Dubai, to just check what items they may have in their bags.
0:16:10 > 0:16:17It doesn't take long for Cleo to smell something suspicious. She's interested in something here.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- Hi, madam, what have you got in the bags?- Sweets, chocolates...
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Just chocolates? Nothing else?
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Any cigarettes or tobacco with you?
0:16:25 > 0:16:27- No.- No?
0:16:27 > 0:16:29OK, thank you for your time.
0:16:31 > 0:16:37'Mandy watches how Cleo reacts and then decides if her traveller's explanation is believable.'
0:16:37 > 0:16:40Just walk forward for us, the dog won't hurt you.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44'As well as live animals, Cleo's a valuable tool in
0:16:44 > 0:16:47'fighting the illegal trade in endangered wildlife.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52What interesting animal products has Cleo found?
0:16:52 > 0:16:56Recently, she found a bear's foot that was coming into the country.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58- A bear's foot?- Coming in from China.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01A lady had brought it in as a delicacy to feed to her family.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03It was partially cooked, in a Tupperware pot.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07The lady explained to me what it was by demonstrating a growling bear.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11- Well, that's absolutely illegal. - Illegal on so many levels.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15What's the most extraordinary thing you and Cleo have found?
0:17:15 > 0:17:17That's the most recent one that sticks in my head.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21We used to find monkeys and things coming in from Africa that
0:17:21 > 0:17:24people wanted to eat, but the bear's foot is the most recent.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30The bulk of the passengers from the Dubai flight are arriving thick and fast.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Cleo's going to be busy.
0:17:40 > 0:17:47Her sensitive nose soon detects another interesting package being taken through the green channel.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Just stand still for me sir, please. What items do you have with you?
0:17:53 > 0:17:57- Ah, just a... - INAUDIBLE
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- Just a...- Yeah, but what is it? - Ah...
0:18:00 > 0:18:01Any dried beef?
0:18:01 > 0:18:05- No. No beef.- Pork? Pork floss?
0:18:05 > 0:18:06- A little bit.- A little bit of pork.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09OK, if you just through with the officer for me.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13Mandy doesn't think Cleo has detected any animals in this luggage.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15She suspects it's food.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19It's illegal to bring any meat or dairy into the country,
0:18:19 > 0:18:24but the contents of this suitcase are typical of what some travellers will try and smuggle in.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26Are these your products, sir?
0:18:27 > 0:18:30They're yours, yeah? Where did you travel from today?
0:18:30 > 0:18:32- China.- China.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36You've got some Chinese sausages and then some duck necks.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- Well, she's definitely sniffed this one hasn't she?- Yeah.
0:18:39 > 0:18:44- These will be seized off this gentleman.- Right.- And his details will be taken down onto a form
0:18:44 > 0:18:45and then a record will be kept.
0:18:45 > 0:18:53If the gentleman's found bring food in again in the future, it could lead to prosecution or a fine.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57- Food, not wildlife, we're talking. - Yep. It will all be incinerated.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01Come on, then.
0:19:03 > 0:19:08Mandy and Cleo may not have detected any animals so far in Terminal three,
0:19:08 > 0:19:13but the huge profits involved in the worldwide trafficking of threatened species
0:19:13 > 0:19:17means customs teams are constantly making gruesome discoveries.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24Over at the other side of the airport is Customs House,
0:19:24 > 0:19:28the HQ of the endangered species enforcement team.
0:19:31 > 0:19:36'Today, manager Charles McKay has agreed to open up their archives.'
0:19:36 > 0:19:41- You've got quite a haul in here already, Charles.- Yes. Indeed, yeah.
0:19:41 > 0:19:48This is only a small selection of the illegal products seized by the UK Border Agency in recent years.
0:19:48 > 0:19:53- Right...- It's huge.- We have a nice little bear skin, look.- Oh.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58- With a head mount.- Oh.- And these are used for, you know, as rugs or wall mounts as well.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00- Quite unpleasant.- Well, yeah it is.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03I mean it's not something that I would have but they are
0:20:03 > 0:20:07quite popular and they get hunters going out and shooting bear with a licence and then as long as
0:20:07 > 0:20:12- they've got the right permit they can import them like this. - Look in here.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15Well, yeah, some of these are, um, this is actually, you know, it's
0:20:15 > 0:20:20a rhino horn, and this was smuggled in a statue, coming out of Africa, going to Taiwan.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Our officers actually thought it would be drugs inside.
0:20:23 > 0:20:28They x-rayed it, saw this lump in there, so they broke it open and they found this.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- It was actually a lot more valuable. - Really? A lot more valuable than drugs?- Yes.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33- They must be worth a lot, are they? - Absolutely, rhino horns, yes.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36Which is very bad news for the rhino, isn't it?
0:20:36 > 0:20:37It is indeed.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42The average traveller is highly unlikely to be smuggling something like this rhino horn,
0:20:42 > 0:20:49but some seemingly harmless holiday souvenirs are helping to push animals closer to extinction.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51It looks like an ordinary shawl
0:20:51 > 0:20:55and you could buy one of these and not realise what you are buying.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57This is actually a shahtoosh.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02It comes from the Tibetan antelope, the wool just under the throat
0:21:02 > 0:21:04and neck, and is extremely expensive.
0:21:04 > 0:21:10This one here has a price on it which was £3,400 for this here.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12Now these animals have become critically endangered.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14Well, you can see why the animal doesn't stand much of
0:21:14 > 0:21:18a chance if it's got that kind of price on its head.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20All these items contravene international laws
0:21:20 > 0:21:24designed to protect the world's rarest creatures.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29Sadly though, this trade will continue to thrive while a demand for such products still exists.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Well, it's a treasure trove or house of horrors really.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35There's sort of impressive things
0:21:35 > 0:21:38but that's been the downfall of a lot of these animals.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40That is part of the problem.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42There's a fascination people have with them.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46They don't like to see animals killed and taken out of the wild,
0:21:46 > 0:21:50but on the other hand they do have this fascination with them.
0:21:57 > 0:22:03Later - battling the elements to save two stranded mountain goats.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05Pull, hup.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Two, three, hup.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17In Derbyshire, RSPCA inspector Rachel Andrews has been working
0:22:17 > 0:22:21with a farmer to try to reduce the number of dogs he keeps.
0:22:21 > 0:22:27She's finally persuaded him to have some of his pets sterilised but now there's a new problem.
0:22:27 > 0:22:33She's taken away a mother and a daughter for re-homing but they're both terrified.
0:22:38 > 0:22:44It's been a frightening day for Daisy and her puppy, Ali, and it's not over yet.
0:22:44 > 0:22:50They've just arrived at the vet's where they'll be given a full health check.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55Neither have been trained and have spent all their lives living on a remote farm.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Shall we just take the kennel in?
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Because even if we take him in he's going to run round.
0:23:01 > 0:23:06To make them feel more relaxed, both dogs are carried into the surgery.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10Collies are nervy dogs who hate to be confined.
0:23:10 > 0:23:15For Ali, the journey has been a miserable one.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19The puppy, unfortunately, looks like he's been fed just before we arrived, so he's been quite sick.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23He won't have been, I don't think he'll have travelled before at all so he has been fairly sick.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26He seems OK, though, they're both quite settled.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29But there are more upheavals to come.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33They'll be wormed, de-flea'd vaccinated, and then
0:23:33 > 0:23:37we'll book them in for neutering but we'll let them settle in first, because it's been
0:23:37 > 0:23:40a bit of a stressful day for them so we won't be doing that today.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43They go to the kennels from here, assuming everything's OK with the health check.
0:23:43 > 0:23:50Rachel warns surgeon Jenny Walsh that both dogs could be unpredictable.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54- Does she seem friendly?- Yeah, she's friendly, she's just really nervous.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57She's two, apparently.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59She's got a bit worked up.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:24:01 > 0:24:08Jenny believes that despite Daisy being so young, she's already had a number of litters.
0:24:09 > 0:24:16She has got some mammary development down there so it could be that she's had some fairly recently.
0:24:16 > 0:24:22Daisy gets her jabs and with the vet keeping her calm, is quickly wormed and treated for fleas.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24- She's good. Okey-doke... - Thank you very much.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27- Do you want to swap her then? - Bring the other one.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Now it's time for Ali the puppy.
0:24:32 > 0:24:39- You all right, little man?- But he's still terrified and refusing to leave the comfort of the cage.
0:24:39 > 0:24:40Come on.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46He's clinging on.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48He is.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53Now that Jenny's got Ali's trust and can get closer, she realises that this dog is actually a young female.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57It's got the similar kind of war wounds there.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Her next job is to check those scars on her face.
0:25:03 > 0:25:10After enduring the same medical procedures as Daisy, Ali is also given a clean bill of health.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Very brave.
0:25:12 > 0:25:18- Not even a flinch.- The fact that both of these dogs appear fit gives Rachel a real boost.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22They've got a good chance of having some good basic training and then hopefully
0:25:22 > 0:25:26they should all get really good homes from here so it's, it's really nice
0:25:26 > 0:25:29to be able to get dogs away from that sort of situation.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34Despite being frightened, both dogs have remained good natured.
0:25:34 > 0:25:39If they can overcome their fears, Rachel knows they'll make excellent pets.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42She's got a good chance of getting re-homed.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44She should get snatched up quickly.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46She's got a really nice temperament.
0:25:49 > 0:25:54With the vet checks over, the pair are ready for the next stage in their journey.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59A bed for the night and somewhere to stay before they're ready to be re-homed.
0:26:03 > 0:26:0925 miles away is the kennels which will be Daisy and Ali's new home until they find the right kind
0:26:09 > 0:26:13of owners who can help them adjust to a life outside the farm.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16I think we'll carry her in. Do you want to grab...
0:26:16 > 0:26:20Ali is comforted as she passes the other dogs.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22Good girl.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24Kennels can be frightening for any dog, and even with
0:26:24 > 0:26:31a fresh bed and a chance to settle, Ali still looks a little lost.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34She'll be a bit nervous at first, because she won't have been in a kennels on her own
0:26:34 > 0:26:38before, and she is only young and so we'll let her settle and see how
0:26:38 > 0:26:41she's getting on, but she seems to be taking a bit more of an interest now she's settled in a little bit.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Hopefully, she'll be fine.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51Rachel wants to put Ali with her mother to try and calm her down,
0:26:51 > 0:26:53but even getting that to happen is a challenge.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Shhhh, shhhh, shhhh...
0:26:57 > 0:27:00And as Daisy is led through, it all becomes a bit too much.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04No, she doesn't like the other dogs.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06Daisy is carried away from the prying eyes
0:27:09 > 0:27:13and finally mother and daughter are back together in their own pen.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17We're going to keep an eye on them and see how they go.
0:27:17 > 0:27:22We thought they might just being together for now.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27They may be together again for comfort but cooped up in kennels,
0:27:27 > 0:27:31this is the last place Ali and Daisy want to be.
0:27:31 > 0:27:38What they really need now is loving owners willing to spend time with them to make them feel safe.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50- Coming up - it's back to school for Daisy... - One, two, three, off you go.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52And Ali.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Lower, lower, lower.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58She's really enjoying it, and I'm really enjoying it,
0:27:58 > 0:28:00so she's been doing really well. I think she's coming on.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07Earlier in the programme, we saw a team from West Hatch Wildlife Centre
0:28:07 > 0:28:11rehabilitating and releasing some injured seagulls.
0:28:11 > 0:28:16But it's not just birds that live on the West Coast, it's home to all sorts of animals, and now
0:28:16 > 0:28:21a team are about to attempt a very different type of seaside rescue.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28Bury Head Nature Reserve, Devon.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35This immense coastline provides a haven for some amazing wildlife.
0:28:37 > 0:28:42But the cliffs are also extremely hazardous and now two
0:28:42 > 0:28:46of the reserve's residents have got themselves trapped 100 feet below.
0:28:46 > 0:28:52Park ranger, Chris Smallbones, has been trying to help the goats but with no joy.
0:28:53 > 0:28:59Been trying to coax them up with food and we've actually gone down onto the ledge and tried to chase them up
0:28:59 > 0:29:01and they're just not having it.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04So we phoned up the RSPCA to ask for assistance.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08Drastic action is now needed.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Shall I throw those helmets back in? We don't need them, I don't think.
0:29:11 > 0:29:16The RSPCA has mobilised their specialist rope unit.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18Whose is the flask?
0:29:18 > 0:29:23The team is made up of officers and inspectors from neighbouring counties.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27They've all been trained to deal with such extreme rescues.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31Leading the operation is chief inspector John Pollock.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35They've been down there for a while and that's part of the reason for doing it today.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37Gets it off before more foul weather comes in.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40If they're not getting the proper food and nutrients from the grass
0:29:40 > 0:29:44then they will feel it so from a welfare aspect we need to get them off.
0:29:44 > 0:29:49The goats may be starving but that's not their only problem.
0:29:49 > 0:29:56Being so close to the perilous waves means there's a real risk they could be swept out to sea.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59The only way to save them is to abseil down the cliff face.
0:29:59 > 0:30:05It's an operation fraught with danger and one that needs military precision.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08What we'll do is we'll set up a system up the top,
0:30:08 > 0:30:13probably three of us will go down, maybe four, because they're big horned billy goats, they're quite
0:30:13 > 0:30:18big lads and they don't realise we're going to help them so they'll put up a bit of a fight.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22We'll grab them then winch them onto the side where they can then pick their way up.
0:30:22 > 0:30:27We'll check them over, make sure they're fit and healthy first and we'll get them off, hopefully.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32The weather will also cause problems.
0:30:32 > 0:30:37Driving rain, gusting winds and pounding waves make this job incredibly difficult.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43Can we have a carabiner each for Simon and Chris?
0:30:43 > 0:30:47Coordinating safety is inspector Maria Swaygar.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50When there's four people down there they're going to try and round up
0:30:50 > 0:30:56the two billy goats, grab them, hold them down, and then they're going try and get
0:30:56 > 0:31:01them into a situation where we can get them into an animal bag and then we're going to lift them back up.
0:31:04 > 0:31:09The ropes and the safety line are secure.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12While you're up there can you do a final check of the system?
0:31:12 > 0:31:16Along with inspector Jim Farr, John begins his descent.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22Can you see the ledge down there? Can you see it from here, Jim?
0:31:22 > 0:31:25- See it.- It's over there mate, you'll have to come this way.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29The officers slowly but surely pick their way down the cliff face.
0:31:29 > 0:31:34Right, both guys are out of view, they've gone down the steep bit.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38Within a few minutes they make it to the ledge.
0:31:38 > 0:31:43It's a bit slippy coming down on my side but it's a nice route picking it through Jims. Over.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46'All received. Over.'
0:31:46 > 0:31:51Now it's the turn of inspectors Suzie and Paul to abseil down.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55They bring ropes and nets that will be used to hoist the goats to safety.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Paul and Suzie both down now OK.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05- We'll give you a shout as soon as we've got them. Over.- 'OK. Received.'
0:32:05 > 0:32:07'We won't do anything, we'll wait for your next order.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09'Over.'
0:32:09 > 0:32:12With everything in place, John outlines the plan of attack.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16Do you think it's worth, Paul, just starting from the bottom and
0:32:16 > 0:32:20feeding up that way, and if Suzie and I go to this high ground here?
0:32:20 > 0:32:25If you slowly go down, we'll slowly go, so if they try and run past you or run past us...
0:32:25 > 0:32:30They begin to try and round up the goats but they're terrified.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33There's a real risk they could jump into the sea.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39Just wait a minute. Let them get used to us. Nice and slow.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43The goats are going right to this outcrop.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45I hope they don't feel like swimming today.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49John decides to try and lasso the first goat.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52So if we get out a line we might be
0:32:52 > 0:32:53lucky and get it round the horns.
0:32:53 > 0:32:58But these stubborn animals have very different ideas,
0:32:58 > 0:33:03and there's a danger either the goats or their rescuers could be swept away by the waves.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05Goats 2, RSPCA nil, so far.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11John has to make a move.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14He tackles the first goat to the ground.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16Got him, got him.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19Hi, Maria, just to let you know, we've got one, we just need to
0:33:19 > 0:33:24get it off this bit then go down and get the other one. Is that received?
0:33:24 > 0:33:26'Yeah, received.'
0:33:28 > 0:33:31The animal is restrained, but it's extremely stressed.
0:33:31 > 0:33:37They need to move quickly. But lifting a ten stone mountain goat up a cliff face is no mean feat.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41Jim? We'll get there, then we'll haul it up.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43Wait. Wait. Wait. OK, Paul.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47It's an undignified ascent for the petrified goat.
0:33:47 > 0:33:52- This is not moving. - But its powerful horns easily take the strain of the rope.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57OK, can you pull, Paul? One, two, three...
0:33:59 > 0:34:04Then the goat finds its feet and takes its first cautious steps.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07Pull! All right, rest, rest, rest.
0:34:07 > 0:34:14With more back-breaking work from the team he's soon lifted to a safe ledge.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19Now he can be set free.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22The team spirit is always fantastic and it's obviously always great
0:34:22 > 0:34:26when we manage to get the animal up safe and well.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30But this job is far from over.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Wait, wait, wait. Wait.
0:34:32 > 0:34:37The other goat still needs to be caught and the weather is getting worse.
0:34:40 > 0:34:45The team battles the wind and the rain and soon restrains the second goat.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47Can you assist it up or not?
0:34:48 > 0:34:51We're going to have to haul it up.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54And once again, brute force is the order of the day.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57Pull, hup.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59Two, three, hup.
0:35:02 > 0:35:08Eventually, after a massive effort, the goat emerges over the cliff edge.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11I wouldn't say it was textbook but obviously sometimes things are
0:35:11 > 0:35:14presented differently on the ground that you've got to adapt.
0:35:14 > 0:35:15Luckily they are horned, which does help.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18You grab hold of their horns and hold on and get them
0:35:18 > 0:35:21back up to safety, really. That was our main goal.
0:35:24 > 0:35:30This has been a gruelling challenge for all the team, involving officers and inspectors from far and wide,
0:35:30 > 0:35:34but now the goats are safe and the team can go back to their more regular duties.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38It doesn't matter what they are, we do everything from
0:35:38 > 0:35:39a mouse to a horse, it doesn't matter.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43Two fit animals brought back up and that's all we care about so
0:35:43 > 0:35:47nice cup of coffee, dry clothes, and then crack on knocking on doors.
0:35:53 > 0:36:01Earlier, we met Daisy and Ali, two border collies being taken away from a remote farm in Derbyshire.
0:36:01 > 0:36:06Both dogs were completely untrained and unfamiliar with the outside world.
0:36:06 > 0:36:11Since then, kennel staff have been trying to get them used to both dogs and people.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15Now it's up to their new owners to continue the hard work.
0:36:21 > 0:36:26With plenty of wide open spaces, this is perfect collie country.
0:36:27 > 0:36:34And Daisy and Ali have both found new owners who share their love of the great outdoors.
0:36:34 > 0:36:41- Two months ago, mum Daisy was too terrified to be on a lead.- Come on.
0:36:41 > 0:36:49- Now she's quite happy and enjoys her daily walks with new owners, Paul and Esther Weir.- There we go, Daisy.
0:36:49 > 0:36:55After spending her life on a remote farm, their first priority was to get Daisy properly trained.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59Once you take her off the lead, she actually gets to play with
0:36:59 > 0:37:01a toy or a stick so we actually trained her to come back with it.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04Ready, one, two, three, off you go.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07And then she'll bring it back to us.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10Or not, depending on how she feels?
0:37:10 > 0:37:13No? Not going to do it on cue.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17Collies like Daisy need plenty of exercise and stimulation.
0:37:17 > 0:37:24- Come on, up you come.- But clearly, training her to do as she's told is going to take a bit more time.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28- Good girl, Daisy.- Since leaving the farm, Daisy's fitting well
0:37:28 > 0:37:31into her new life and has started to come out of her shell.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34Before she was timid but made lots of noise.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38She would whimper at night because she was alone.
0:37:38 > 0:37:43She's now coming out into her temperament, you see she's playing ball and will do this for hours.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47It's us getting fed up before she does. Off you go.
0:37:47 > 0:37:52Paul's a personal trainer and Daisy makes sure he's given a daily workout too.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55- She enjoys going running, doesn't she?- Yes, she loves running.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58Paul loves running and Daisy loves running, so....
0:37:58 > 0:38:00Yes, so we go out running a lot.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04And the bond between these three is beginning to benefit them all.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06I feel pleased that we found her a good home
0:38:06 > 0:38:10when I think about what, you know, the standard of life she had before.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14I mean, she's only started doing this in the last week.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18Up until then, she'd never let us touch underneath her, but I think it's a sign of trust.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21She lays right open, if you wanted to harm her you could.
0:38:27 > 0:38:34Daisy has settled quickly but it was a much harder job to help her puppy, Ali, feel safe.
0:38:36 > 0:38:37Come on.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41Now she's called Molly and is full of confidence.
0:38:41 > 0:38:48Her boundless energy is having a dramatic effect on new owner, Jo, and her family of cats and dogs.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52I saw her on the RSPCA website and her
0:38:52 > 0:38:56story sort of appealed to me and she just looked like such a little
0:38:56 > 0:39:02sweetheart and she had such a gentle temperament that I thought she might fit in with my two older collies.
0:39:02 > 0:39:06She plays with the younger cat, they run around after each other.
0:39:06 > 0:39:12But dog and cat don't always see eye to eye and Harry sometimes gets the upper hand.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14Hi, Moll, you ready?
0:39:14 > 0:39:20Like Daisy, Molly was terrified and untrained after being taken from the farm.
0:39:20 > 0:39:26Now Jo's enrolled her on a series of training sessions, and tonight it's school night.
0:39:26 > 0:39:27Come on.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31- Come on, girl. - Joining her on the school run is
0:39:31 > 0:39:37another rescue dog called Ruby and together they thoroughly enjoy their girls' night out.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44It's a short ride to the training centre.
0:39:46 > 0:39:51As they roll up for lessons, Molly seems keen to nose her way to the front of the class.
0:39:51 > 0:39:56Registration's a great excuse for Molly to meet up with her new chums,
0:39:56 > 0:40:01and there are certainly plenty of colourful characters on the roll.
0:40:01 > 0:40:06With all gathered for assembly, it's time for a few words from the head teacher before lessons begin.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11Now spread yourselves out, put your dogs in the sit.
0:40:11 > 0:40:17So I don't want to act too serious, I want you to get in there and enjoy your dogs.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20Get them going, you were brilliant last week, you talked to them.
0:40:20 > 0:40:24OK, are we ready? Handlers and dogs, forward.
0:40:24 > 0:40:30Now it's time to see if Molly and Jo have been doing their homework.
0:40:30 > 0:40:31Not bad, children, not bad.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35It seems a bit more concentration is needed here.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39Top marks for the assault course, though.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43Molly's enthusiasm alone would earn her eight stars.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47OK, back to your seats.
0:40:50 > 0:40:55That's the double PE out of the way, the next lesson is basic commands.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59I will do what I want you to do, joyfully calling your dog.
0:40:59 > 0:41:04Tinksie, come, come, come, come, come, come, come, come.
0:41:04 > 0:41:09And then I'm going to get my hands about there, against the body, and go like this, Tinksie.
0:41:09 > 0:41:15Tinks comes steaming in and I just lift the hands up and we've got us a recall.
0:41:15 > 0:41:20- The teachers always make it look easy.- Right, young Molly.
0:41:20 > 0:41:26- But for Jo and Molly, translating theory into practice is never as simple as it looks.- Molly.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29Lower your hands. Lower, lower, lower.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32Perhaps a little more discipline needed here.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39And now with another lesson over, it's time for a school report.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41See she's really enjoying it and I'm enjoying it.
0:41:41 > 0:41:46She gets distracted with the sit but, yeah she's been doing really well, I think she's coming on.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49Coming on well.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53So full marks to Molly, she's certainly a model pupil.
0:41:53 > 0:41:59And it's a great result for the RSPCA with two more dogs graduating from their care.
0:42:05 > 0:42:12If you think you know of a case of wildlife crime or a creature that needs immediate protection,
0:42:12 > 0:42:16remember there are people out there who will answer your call right around the clock.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19They are who we meet on Animal 24:7.
0:42:21 > 0:42:26Next time on Animal 24:7, a harrowing case of animal cruelty.
0:42:26 > 0:42:34I've never seen anything like this. I think that anyone who can do that to an animal is just, it's disgusting.
0:42:34 > 0:42:39- And a staggering admission from the man responsible. - I didn't know what else to do
0:42:39 > 0:42:42with them so I've finished him off at best.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45A young cygnet's fight to stay alive.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48If people took away their fishing litter we wouldn't have this problem.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51I mean, it's upsetting, especially something as sweet as this.
0:42:51 > 0:42:56And I play cowboy to corral a herd of wild horses.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58What things must you be careful about with these horses?
0:42:58 > 0:43:01A shot to the head can kill you stone dead.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27Subtitles by RED BEE MEDIA LTD
0:43:27 > 0:43:30E-mail: subtitling@bbc.co.uk