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 > 0:00:20trying to protect and care for them right around the clock.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24This is Animal 24:7.
0:00:44 > 0:00:49On Animal 24:7 today, a harrowing case of animal cruelty.
0:00:49 > 0:00:54I've never seen anything like this. I think that anyone that can do that to an animal is just...
0:00:54 > 0:00:56It's disgusting.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00And a staggering admission from the man responsible.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02I didn't know what else to do.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09A young cygnet's fight to stay alive.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13If people took away their fishing litter we wouldn't have this problem
0:01:13 > 0:01:16and it is upsetting, especially something as sweet as this.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20And I play cowboy to corral a herd of wild horses.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23What are the things you've got to be careful about with these horses?
0:01:23 > 0:01:26A shot to the head can kill you stone dead.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35But we start the programme with a truly shocking story.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38The RSPCA see cruelty to animals on a daily basis
0:01:38 > 0:01:41and that's hard enough to take,
0:01:41 > 0:01:43but sometimes, as in this next case,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47they're greeted by a scene that's almost too much to take.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53It's a cold, wet day in West Yorkshire.
0:01:55 > 0:02:01RSPCA inspector Sarah Keith is responding to an emergency call.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08From the information she has, this could be one of the worst cases she's ever had to deal with.
0:02:08 > 0:02:13We're just on our way to a job at the minute that's come in via the police
0:02:13 > 0:02:16regarding a dog that's been hanged in a back garden.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19I'm not sure who's responsible for this hanging.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22The person who called the police about it went to the dog.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Initially the dog was alive, he released the dog,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28went outside to phone the police and when he came back,
0:02:28 > 0:02:32the dog had been re-hung by whoever hung it the first time and it subsequently died.
0:02:32 > 0:02:38Somebody is under arrest and the police scenes of crime are on their way to the location.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41We're going to meet them there and take some photographs,
0:02:41 > 0:02:45interview the suspects and hopefully get a conviction out of it.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48This case is now a criminal investigation.
0:02:48 > 0:02:54Both the police and the RSPCA need to gather evidence from the scene.
0:02:56 > 0:03:02It's a grisly sight and an act which Sarah and her colleagues are determined will not go unpunished.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07I've never seen anything like this.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12I think that anyone that can do that to an animal is just...
0:03:12 > 0:03:13It's disgusting.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18And he's got other dogs in the house as well so we'll take those because obviously they're at risk.
0:03:18 > 0:03:24I know of cases where dogs have been hanged and...
0:03:24 > 0:03:27But the one particular one that springs to mind,
0:03:27 > 0:03:31there was no owner, it was found in woods, they never found an owner for that one.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35The circumstances here are different because this is in someone's
0:03:35 > 0:03:37back garden and two people have been arrested,
0:03:37 > 0:03:42so we have a culprit which, you know, is the only good thing to come out of it, really.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46Sarah can't understand why anyone would do this to a family pet.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49I just want to make sure there's no more animals that we've not found.
0:03:52 > 0:03:57But the owners will soon be questioned and Sarah will find out what motivated this cruel act.
0:04:00 > 0:04:01The dog appears to be...
0:04:03 > 0:04:08It looks like some sort of shepherd cross.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10It's a white-coloured dog.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12It looks like quite an old dog.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16The condition of its teeth suggests it's probably fed bone quite a lot,
0:04:16 > 0:04:19but that will all get confirmed by a post mortem.
0:04:20 > 0:04:26With no obvious signs of disease or injury, Sarah must wait for a pathologist's report.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36But her most pressing concern now are the other pets.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Hello. Go on in, darling.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46They were outside when the police arrived and are now distressed.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50There's two dogs in here, both males.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54Good bodily condition, but we're not prepared to leave them here
0:04:54 > 0:04:58due to what's happened to the other dog, so the police are going to seize
0:04:58 > 0:05:04both of these dogs and we'll take them and board them at one of our animal homes.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06Hello, beautiful.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11The two dogs, Midge and Bouncer, seem to be upset by what they've seen this morning.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Sarah is determined to try and keep them together.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20Hello, it's Sarah the inspector.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Have you got a space for two case dogs?
0:05:23 > 0:05:27But finding a home with enough room is proving difficult.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Is it just the one space is there?
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Right, OK. I'll try one of the other animal homes, then.
0:05:32 > 0:05:33Thanks, bye.
0:05:33 > 0:05:40Finally, after ringing around several homes, Sarah finds a space at a centre in Hull.
0:05:40 > 0:05:41You have.
0:05:41 > 0:05:46At least the short-term future of Midge and Bouncer is now secured.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49Right, OK. I'll probably leave the dogs in situ
0:05:49 > 0:05:53with food and water for now and then I'll probably see you a bit later on.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58Sarah now has the grim task of removing the hanging dog from the tree.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02- Does your scenes of crime...? - He's finished now.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04- He doesn't want to do anything else with it?- No.- Right, because I'll...
0:06:04 > 0:06:07I'll bag it and tag it and it'll go for post mortem.
0:06:10 > 0:06:15The dog and its noose are now evidence in a criminal investigation.
0:06:16 > 0:06:21The animal is placed in a bag so it can be taken away for a post mortem.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Have you got that rope as well? I'll put that in a separate bag.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30I've left a section of the rope around the dog's neck for the vet
0:06:30 > 0:06:32to have a look at, or the pathologist,
0:06:32 > 0:06:36and the rest of the rope will go in this bag and be exhibited.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42It's been a traumatic few hours for the two remaining dogs.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45Over here, come on.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50With the body now removed, it's safe for them to be allowed into the fresh air once more.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53I think they know what's happened.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56I think when they come out of the house earlier they've obviously
0:06:56 > 0:06:59seen the other dog hanging and I think they're a little bit upset.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03This is a complicated case.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07Sarah has to look after Midge and Bouncer, who seem determined to stick together.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09Over here, come on.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- No, doesn't want to. - He wants to go with his friend.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16She also needs to begin the painstaking process of preparing
0:07:16 > 0:07:21- a legal case against whoever was responsible for the hanging. - And what's the lady's name?
0:07:21 > 0:07:25And there are still plenty of questions that need to be asked.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28I'm just going to take the body of the dead dog for evidence
0:07:28 > 0:07:31and then I'm off to the police station to interview the two suspects
0:07:31 > 0:07:35and hopefully I'll be coming back later on to remove these two dogs.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38We've left them with food and water in the property,
0:07:38 > 0:07:41but we will take the dogs away before the people get back to the house.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Still to come,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52denials from the dog owner accused of shocking cruelty.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04And a close shave during a wild horse round-up.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07The horse actually pushed the bolt off the gate,
0:08:07 > 0:08:09the latch right of the post here.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Slightly hairy moment.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19One of the biggest dangers facing British wildlife is discarded fishing tackle.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24Most anglers behave responsibly, but some leave behind litter
0:08:24 > 0:08:28like hooks, weights and line and these can be deadly.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32At Crown Lakes park in Peterborough the RSPCA have just heard
0:08:32 > 0:08:36about a young cygnet whose life is in danger.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48On this fishing lake a cygnet has become tangled in wire.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51It's caught on a tree and can't swim away.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58And its family is refusing to leave its side.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Somewhere around here, hopefully.
0:09:01 > 0:09:06RSPCA officer Justin Stubbs has arrived to help.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09The mum with the other babies, the other six babies is swimming around.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11They're all quite happy. Dad's just here guarding
0:09:11 > 0:09:13the other little one which, having just seen it now,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16it's clearly trying to swim and it's not getting anywhere.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18Look, it's struggling to get away.
0:09:18 > 0:09:24Sadly this is a common problem. More than 7,000 birds every year
0:09:24 > 0:09:30die or are injured as a result of fishing tackle being carelessly thrown away.
0:09:31 > 0:09:36It's a daily occurrence. There's always birds tangled up in fishing line and...
0:09:36 > 0:09:41That's just the perfect example of why we really, really are desperate for people to dispose of it properly.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45When the victim is as young as this little bird, the chances
0:09:45 > 0:09:50of survival are slim. Justin, however, is determined to try and save it.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54755 to E2, is anybody around Peterborough to help us out with a rescue, over?
0:09:54 > 0:09:58But the bond between a cygnet and its parents could stop him.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02As soon as I go near it, Mum or Dad,
0:10:02 > 0:10:05who are incredibly protective and aggressive, are going to beat me.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09It's not going to do the cygnet any good, it's going to make rescuing it even more difficult,
0:10:09 > 0:10:11so I've just called for somebody to come and give us a hand.
0:10:11 > 0:10:16After several minutes, Justin's colleague Cathy Hornig arrives.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19There's no dignified way of getting this on.
0:10:19 > 0:10:24With Dad out of the way, Justin needs to make his move.
0:10:24 > 0:10:29He carefully wades over towards the struggling cygnet.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- Wait there, Cathy.- Yeah.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37And soon realises the full extent of the problem.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40He's swallowed it and it's around his legs as well.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50The baby swan is out of the water, but not out of danger.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- Justin's unable to remove the fishing line...- That's jammed in.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57..and the big fear is that there's a hook on the end of it.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01If it's slides out very, very easily then great, it's not got down far, but...
0:11:01 > 0:11:05The slightest little bit of resistance you don't risk it, so...
0:11:06 > 0:11:08- He's not broken that leg.- No.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13All the fishing line that was around the bramble,
0:11:13 > 0:11:15he's also swallowed part of it as well.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18It may be that he'd swallowed it first and then
0:11:18 > 0:11:21it's trailed behind him and he's got his legs caught in it as well, so...
0:11:21 > 0:11:25If people took away their fishing litter we wouldn't have this problem, and it is upsetting.
0:11:25 > 0:11:30You know, we go to the trouble to try and rescue these animals
0:11:30 > 0:11:35and it is too late, and it is upsetting, especially something as sweet as this.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39It's such a pointless thing, all this litter and fishing line and it's clearly...
0:11:39 > 0:11:42I think he's probably dying on us now, actually.
0:11:42 > 0:11:47- Things aren't looking good for this little bird.- It's just so sad because it's preventable.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52And on the way back to the van, Justin and Cathy think he may be fading.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- Gone?- No, he's just...
0:11:57 > 0:12:00No.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Come on, baby, come on.
0:12:04 > 0:12:09But this little cygnet is a fighter and he's not giving up yet.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13Every now and then he seems to perk up a little bit. I'm just hoping that he can keep it up.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18Justin rushes the bird to the nearest wildlife hospital.
0:12:20 > 0:12:25I'm pleasantly surprised that it's still alive and if anything quite considerably stronger, I think.
0:12:25 > 0:12:30I really didn't think he was going to make the walk back to the van, let alone the drive.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35Amazingly, the cygnet has made it through the journey to East Winch hospital.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40Now it's time to see whether vet Steve Bexton can do anything to save him.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43One cygnet full of that.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45It was around his leg as well,
0:12:45 > 0:12:49quite high up and tight and he's very floppy.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51We thought he was just going to die on us.
0:12:51 > 0:12:57The fact that such a young bird has survived the ordeal this long is a surprise.
0:12:57 > 0:13:02- Has he had anything? - No, I just brought him straight in. - But they need to move quickly.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07With him tangled in it and then tangled around a tree as well since last night.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10The longer the cygnet is away from its parents,
0:13:10 > 0:13:12the less chance it will have
0:13:12 > 0:13:14of being accepted back into the family group.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18Steve immediately takes him in for an X-ray.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22Thankfully, it reveals some good news.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26So, that area there is where the neck is kind of in an S-shape,
0:13:26 > 0:13:28so it's superimposed on itself.
0:13:28 > 0:13:34So you can't actually see that part of the neck very clearly on the X-ray,
0:13:34 > 0:13:41but from the beak to there, there's no hook that's kind of anchoring the line
0:13:41 > 0:13:45so it should, in theory, come out quite easily.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49Steve needs to have a closer look inside the cygnet.
0:13:49 > 0:13:54Before he can do this, it needs warmth and re-hydration to help it survive the anaesthetic.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58In such a young bird there is a risk with the anaesthetic,
0:13:58 > 0:14:01so we want to keep that as brief as we possibly can.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05And then there is a slight risk with the procedure as well
0:14:05 > 0:14:08because we don't know what's on the end of the line.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11We've ruled out a hook from the X-rays, but there may
0:14:11 > 0:14:15be something else on the end of the line, so it's a little bit unknown
0:14:15 > 0:14:16as to what's going to happen.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Steve can't get the fishing line out.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Yeah, it's not coming out.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28There's resistance to it about there on the neck,
0:14:28 > 0:14:30so what we'll do is I'll get the endoscope
0:14:30 > 0:14:34and we'll have a quick look and just make sure there's nothing wedged across.
0:14:36 > 0:14:41He feeds the mini camera down the bird's gullet.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44- Yeah, OK.- There?- Yeah.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47And it shows there's nothing on the end of the line
0:14:47 > 0:14:48that will cause any harm.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54He decides to cut it off at the mouth
0:14:54 > 0:14:58and hopes the cygnet will be able to digest the rest.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03The stomach of a swan is a sort of grinding muscular organ
0:15:03 > 0:15:09and anything that ends up in there is ground down to virtually nothing
0:15:09 > 0:15:12and then passes through the digestive tract.
0:15:16 > 0:15:22Hopefully if he comes round from the anaesthetic that should be the end of his problems hopefully, now.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24But this is just the worrying time now.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29We have to see that he does wake up and come round OK.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Coming up, concern grows for the poorly cygnet.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42He was out for a little bit longer than we would have liked
0:15:42 > 0:15:45for this sort of procedure with him being so small and so young.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50And an uncertain future for Midge and Bouncer.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53They've had quite a traumatic experience because they...
0:15:53 > 0:15:56They saw the other dog while it was hanging.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09This is the north Kent coast and these desirable residences behind me
0:16:09 > 0:16:11have a view out over the Thames estuary,
0:16:11 > 0:16:15and along here, we have a strip known as the South Swale Nature Reserve
0:16:15 > 0:16:20and it's home to some really great species, like marsh harriers and little terns.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23But it takes a lot of work to keep it this way.
0:16:23 > 0:16:31Humans do their bit, but they also employ another tireless guardian of the environment, konik horses.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39The konik horse is the last descendant of the tarpan,
0:16:39 > 0:16:44an extinct European horse which used to roam free all over the continent.
0:16:45 > 0:16:51The breed is native to Poland and was first brought to Kent by the Wildwood Trust in 2002.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Tell me a bit more about the koniks, Peter.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59Well, the Konik is a...wild horse.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- Now, you can see on their legs, you see the stripes...- Yes, yes.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05That is what the tarpan looked like.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08It was like a brown zebra pattern
0:17:08 > 0:17:11and that's some of the relic genes that are still in there
0:17:11 > 0:17:14where you can see that camouflage pattern, so these horses have got
0:17:14 > 0:17:19the last genes of the tarpan and they can live just like wild animals.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23But you like them because of the way they graze. Now, we can see them eating behind us.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27What are they doing that's so special and good for the wildlife?
0:17:27 > 0:17:30Well, if we left this and didn't do anything it would scrub up.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33You'd get scrub coming in and the reed beds and the dykes would start
0:17:33 > 0:17:37drying out and they would start losing their biological diversity,
0:17:37 > 0:17:39and it's the dynamic process of these
0:17:39 > 0:17:41munching away keeping it all open
0:17:41 > 0:17:44that keeps the rare wildlife all in there together.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47But the herd here has now become too big.
0:17:47 > 0:17:54Today I'm taking on the role of cowboy to help Peter and his team separate some of the males.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57What exactly are you trying to achieve by moving them around?
0:17:57 > 0:18:02Right, at the moment we need to, if we can, separate the horses we're going to take.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05If we can do it here before we drive them all the way down
0:18:05 > 0:18:07to the corral system we've got it'll be a lot easier.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10But these are colts and they're starting to get to an age
0:18:10 > 0:18:13where they're challenging their father for dominance of the herd,
0:18:13 > 0:18:15for the stallion, so they need to be brought off the system.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18We've got another beautiful nature reserve for them to go on and live.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21So these colts are like the teenage horses and they're getting a bit aggressive?
0:18:21 > 0:18:25- They're getting a bit argy bargy. That's right. We need to go and follow these guys now.- OK.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29- And we'll do some real horse herding. - Real wrangling. OK.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38Before the koniks can be split up, all the horses must be herded into special pens.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41We've let them through the gate. Do you want me to close the gate behind them?
0:18:44 > 0:18:51Like our native Dartmoor and Exmoor breeds, these are wild animals and unused to human handling.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59The team eventually corral them into a small pen.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03We've chased the horses all through the reserve
0:19:03 > 0:19:08and they're corralled up here and now we're going to have to separate the ones we want, which is the hard bit.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12This is a dangerous job. A kick from any of them could prove fatal.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18Before we get in there, what are the things you've got to be careful about with these horses?
0:19:18 > 0:19:24Well, with horses, the biggest problem if a horse turns to kick you, which is behaviour that can happen,
0:19:24 > 0:19:30and that's when it can kill you, so... That's a shot to the head can kill you stone dead, so be careful.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- So, watch the rear end, basically. - That's right.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35And don't be scared of pushing your hand on to the rear end
0:19:35 > 0:19:37or moving yourself very quickly away.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45Separating the two males means we have to single them out and drive them into a narrow pen.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51Only then are the others allowed back out into the fields.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55Now we can concentrate on getting these two into a horse box.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Things are going according to plan...
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- That's it. - But suddenly the horses panic...
0:20:07 > 0:20:10..pinning two of the team against the fence.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Come on.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15- That's it. - Before they're given a second chance
0:20:15 > 0:20:20to change their mind, the team manage to cut off their escape.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Mind your heads.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32Do you think they've done it? They look quite wild eyed in there,
0:20:32 > 0:20:35but I guess they haven't been in a horse box before.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49The two horses are now driven a few miles away to be set free in their new home.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56But first they need to be castrated to stop them fighting
0:20:56 > 0:20:58and becoming a danger to any passers-by.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02Now I've got to make sure they don't get out again.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Vet Jeremy Phillip is the man
0:21:07 > 0:21:11who's got the tough task of relieving them of their manhood.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Jeremy, you've got some pretty scary-looking tools down there.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17Tell me a little bit what the plan is, the plan of attack.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22The plan of attack. The first thing is to try and put two darts into its bottom.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26These... Watching these horses here, they look very benign, don't they?
0:21:26 > 0:21:32- Yeah.- Very relaxed. And as a breed they are, they're quite malleable to being pushed and herded.
0:21:32 > 0:21:38However, getting needles in them is another matter because the needle goes in,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41- the horse jumps around, OK? - Come at me with a needle and I'll soon back off too.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45- You'll soon be out of the way, OK, particularly if you know what's coming next.- Indeed.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50With his preparations complete, Jeremy takes aim.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59Well, at this range it wasn't the toughest shot in the world,
0:21:59 > 0:22:01but he got it cleanly in the rump there.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04'The tranquillisers work quickly,
0:22:04 > 0:22:09'but then the first horse makes a powerful escape attempt.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13'It takes all of us to keep him under control.'
0:22:13 > 0:22:14Let him through?
0:22:14 > 0:22:16OK, one, two, three.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26The horse actually pushed the bolt right off the gate,
0:22:26 > 0:22:29the latch right off the post here. Slightly hairy moment.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37Safely knocked out, Jeremy and his team can get to work.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Right, ready? One, two, three.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46It's an operation which, for one or two reasons,
0:22:46 > 0:22:47I find a bit painful to watch.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53I'm actually quite glad I can't see the detail, it's hidden behind the leg.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Even the sight of those big pliers was bad enough.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58'The operation is over.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02'Now the team clean him up and make sure the wound is well dressed.'
0:23:02 > 0:23:06They're just putting the injection in now to bring the horse round.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08Now, it's quite important that we get out
0:23:08 > 0:23:11because they can be as lively when they wake up and unpredictable
0:23:11 > 0:23:13as when they were going down in the first place.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19It's a tense time as we wait for the horse to come round.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28With the first patient now back on his feet,
0:23:28 > 0:23:29Jeremy moves on to number two.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37Well, the second horse has gone down, rather easier than the first.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39How do you feel today's gone overall?
0:23:39 > 0:23:40I think it's been pretty successful.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43We've managed to get the horses here without any major problems.
0:23:43 > 0:23:44It's all worked well,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47we've had some great people to help us, so, pretty happy.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51So, what effect are you hoping the horses will have on this meadow here?
0:23:51 > 0:23:54Well, the horses can breathe life back into this place.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57They're munching the grassland, taking away some of the scrub.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59It can give lots of varieties of habitat for rare animals.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03So, with the help of these horses, this place could become really hotching with wildlife.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06Absolutely. There's a range of birds, insects,
0:24:06 > 0:24:09some grass snakes, some adders, all kinds of things can come back,
0:24:09 > 0:24:11reptiles, frogs, all that.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15The konik is in many ways the ultimate green machine,
0:24:15 > 0:24:20an environmentally-sensitive way of restoring threatened landscapes.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24And the success of the herd here in Kent means we could soon be seeing
0:24:24 > 0:24:27a lot more of these magnificent creatures in the future.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37Later, will Justin's cygnet be welcomed home?
0:24:37 > 0:24:40I'm going to keep an eye on him and make sure that they don't attack him.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43If they do attack him, they could well kill him.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50In West Yorkshire, RSPCA inspector Sarah Keith is
0:24:50 > 0:24:54investigating the case of a dog found hanging from a tree.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58It's a crime both she and the police are determined to punish.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00A man and a woman have been arrested,
0:25:00 > 0:25:02but the case is far from closed.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04There are two other dogs at the property
0:25:04 > 0:25:07and Sarah wants to take them away,
0:25:07 > 0:25:10but first she needs to speak to those responsible.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19RSPCA inspector Sarah Keith begins
0:25:19 > 0:25:22the recorded interview with the dead dog's owners.
0:25:40 > 0:25:45It's an unbelievably frank admission, but it's not the last.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50As well as suffering during the hanging, the RSPCA believes
0:26:50 > 0:26:54the dog was in pain and suffered for some time before the incident.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58The owners are charged with causing unnecessary suffering
0:26:58 > 0:27:01and will be taken to court, but for Sarah the priority now
0:27:01 > 0:27:04is the other animals left at the property.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10A few hours later, Sarah returns to the house and wastes no time.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12She seizes Midge and Bouncer.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16Good dogs. Good boys. Jump up.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Good boy. And you.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21She's worried they'll be distressed from witnessing
0:27:21 > 0:27:24the other dog's harrowing death.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27She's keen to get them checked over straight away.
0:27:29 > 0:27:35At the Hull Animal Home, Marie Bedford is waiting to see them.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37What treatment have they been given?
0:27:37 > 0:27:39They haven't had anything.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41The owners have never taken them to a vet's,
0:27:41 > 0:27:45so they've never been vaccinated, they've not been neutered.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47And they've not been...no.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49So, everything, the full work up.
0:27:49 > 0:27:54First up is Midge, a three-year-old Labrador cross.
0:27:54 > 0:28:00We'll just give him a health check, hopefully with no problems.
0:28:02 > 0:28:07Check just for any lumps, scars or anything. Good boy.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11I'm going to give him a kennel cough now.
0:28:11 > 0:28:12They don't really like this, because it's up their nose.
0:28:12 > 0:28:18- The strong bond between the two dogs is clear.- Good lad.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21As Midge is treated, his friend stays close.
0:28:21 > 0:28:22Good boy.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26Next it's Bouncer's turn, who's slightly underweight.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29- What food have they been on? - They've been on a dry food,
0:28:29 > 0:28:31but I don't think it was a high quality one.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33We feed dry food, so now we know the weights,
0:28:33 > 0:28:36we can regulate how much they're getting fed.
0:28:36 > 0:28:37We'll give them a little bit more
0:28:37 > 0:28:40- because they're a tiny little bit lean, so...- Lovely stuff.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42We'll sort them out, feed them up.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44Do you want to get a room bedded down and pop them in together?
0:28:44 > 0:28:46Yeah, they need to be in together.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48They'll scream the place down if they're separated.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50They're very attached.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55Midge and Bouncer have been through a lot in the last 24 hours
0:28:55 > 0:28:58and kennels can be a disturbing place for any dog.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00Oh, look at this, boys!
0:29:00 > 0:29:02Come on, then, on in here. Come on.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04But at least they've got each other.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06They've had quite a traumatic experience,
0:29:06 > 0:29:08because they saw the other dog
0:29:08 > 0:29:11while it was hanging and they knew something was going on.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15They were quiet unsettled while they were at the property and it's nice
0:29:15 > 0:29:18to see the difference in them coming here and just settling in
0:29:18 > 0:29:21and just being quite easy about their environment,
0:29:21 > 0:29:23so I'm quite happy that they're...
0:29:23 > 0:29:26Seeing them happy and behaving the way they are.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29You've got to stay there, lovey.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31The good news is that both dogs appear healthy,
0:29:31 > 0:29:35- but their future is far from certain.- Good boys.
0:29:35 > 0:29:40Bouncer and Midge can't be re-homed until the court case is over,
0:29:40 > 0:29:42and this will take time.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51Eight months later, and after a long and complicated investigation,
0:29:51 > 0:29:53the case finally comes to court.
0:29:54 > 0:30:00The owners arrive at the hearing to answer charges of animal cruelty.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06I'm just about to go in regarding a dog that was found
0:30:06 > 0:30:08hanging in a back garden,
0:30:08 > 0:30:11so I'm just about to go in and see if they first of all
0:30:11 > 0:30:15plead not guilty or guilty, and then see what happens after that,
0:30:15 > 0:30:17what the magistrates decide,
0:30:17 > 0:30:19but hopefully in this case justice will be done.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30Still to come, waiting for a verdict,
0:30:30 > 0:30:33the two dogs desperate for freedom.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37It's so frustrating seeing them in kennels when they don't really need
0:30:37 > 0:30:39to be here, they need to be in a loving home with family.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47Now back to the story of the cygnet that swallowed some fishing wire.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51When RSPCA officer Justin Stubbs first rescued the bird,
0:30:51 > 0:30:55it was extremely weak and he was worried it wouldn't pull through,
0:30:55 > 0:30:59but the bird has shocked everyone, surviving not only a long journey
0:30:59 > 0:31:02to the vet's, but also some uncomfortable surgery.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06Now, will it come round from the anaesthetic?
0:31:11 > 0:31:14This little cygnet is without doubt a fighter.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17This is obviously the worrying time now, just making sure
0:31:17 > 0:31:20that he does wake up from the anaesthetic.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23But vet Steve Bexton is concerned that
0:31:23 > 0:31:27it may just be too fragile to survive.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30He was out for a little bit longer than we would have liked
0:31:30 > 0:31:33for this procedure, with him being so small and so young.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38- Finally, though... - He's back with us.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41..after several minutes, the cygnet starts to show signs of life.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44Once he's fully awake from the anaesthetic,
0:31:44 > 0:31:46we'll see if he'll eat, we'll give him some food.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50He may not have eaten for a while because he's had this fishing line stuck down there.
0:31:50 > 0:31:55If he can eat and we're happy with him, then he should be all right to go back tomorrow.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58Now, after a traumatic day...
0:32:00 > 0:32:05..this bird wants warmth, rest, and then he needs his family.
0:32:11 > 0:32:16It's the next morning, and RSPCA officer Justin Stubbs
0:32:16 > 0:32:19returns to the wildlife hospital.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23He's keen to see if the cygnet has survived the night.
0:32:23 > 0:32:24Being such a young bird,
0:32:24 > 0:32:28Justin had feared that he might die when he rescued him yesterday.
0:32:28 > 0:32:35- Oh, look at that!- But the cygnet is alive, and even making some friends.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37Doing really well.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40He's eaten overnight, as you can see. Really bright.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44Has recovered well from his anaesthetic that he had yesterday,
0:32:44 > 0:32:47and we're happy for him to go back with his family,
0:32:47 > 0:32:51because he's probably got a better chance of survival with them,
0:32:51 > 0:32:53and obviously with his other siblings as well,
0:32:53 > 0:32:55he can learn how to be a swan.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58Yes, so, he's fought against all the odds and made it.
0:32:58 > 0:32:59I'm absolutely over the moon.
0:32:59 > 0:33:0112 years of doing this and I still get over the moon
0:33:01 > 0:33:03over the odd case, it's brilliant.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09But now there's a new concern, getting him back to his family.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15After 24 hours away, there's a real worry that his parents might pick up
0:33:15 > 0:33:19human scent and refuse to take the cygnet back.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21So I'm just going to keep an eye on him, make sure that they don't attack him.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24If they do attack him, they could well kill him.
0:33:26 > 0:33:27Justin soon finds Dad,
0:33:27 > 0:33:32who seems to be persevering in a one-swan search party.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37If Dad rejects him, the cygnet will have to go back to the rescue centre
0:33:37 > 0:33:40until he's old enough to be released.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43That's the last thing Justin wants to happen.
0:33:51 > 0:33:52That's a good sound.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57The cygnet seems eager to get away,
0:33:57 > 0:34:01and the aggression towards Justin is also a good sign.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14After a few moments weighing each other up,
0:34:14 > 0:34:17father and son are back together.
0:34:20 > 0:34:25Absolutely perfect. Just the noises, the deep rumble
0:34:25 > 0:34:28is kind of a greeting sound that they use.
0:34:28 > 0:34:33He's almost kind of willing it, "Come on, come on." So I think...
0:34:33 > 0:34:35I don't think that could have gone much better,
0:34:35 > 0:34:38other than Mum and the rest of the babies being here.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41Dad's now keeping himself between us and it,
0:34:41 > 0:34:45protecting it. He's the luckiest cygnet I've ever come across.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48He survived the tangling, he survived probably a night of it.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52Any predators that were about, he survived being caught, cut free,
0:34:52 > 0:34:54the walk, the drive, the anaesthetic,
0:34:54 > 0:34:56the hot drive as well on the way back.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58He survived absolutely everything,
0:34:58 > 0:35:00so, yeah, he's a really lucky little fella.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05And soon, the cygnet's an even luckier little fella,
0:35:05 > 0:35:08as he's reunited with the whole family.
0:35:09 > 0:35:14OK, so you've got two, four, six, and ours makes seven.
0:35:15 > 0:35:19Everyone's back together. Nobody's bothered about him being there.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22They're all accepting him perfectly well. Perfect.
0:35:22 > 0:35:23Brilliant.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31Accidents do happen with fishermen.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35You can accidentally hook a low-lying branch, I appreciate that.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38Just a little bit more care.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42You don't need to cast so far out to underneath those branches.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46You don't need to leave your litter about. You don't need to leave
0:35:46 > 0:35:47your four pack of beer
0:35:47 > 0:35:50so that something can get stuck in all the ring-pull parts.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56Justin may still be angry about the irresponsible fisherman,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59but for him, this is the best part of the job.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01I'm absolutely over the moon with this one.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04It's not often you get rescues where you do get
0:36:04 > 0:36:09so emotionally caught up with it, and I don't think anybody that was there
0:36:09 > 0:36:12yesterday could have helped but be like that.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15So, to wake up today and find out that he's made such a great recovery
0:36:15 > 0:36:16and be told to come back and get him
0:36:16 > 0:36:19because he's going to be kicked back out with Mum and Dad,
0:36:19 > 0:36:21it gives you a real boost.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24I'll be able to do my job for weeks on this.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26It really keeps you going, so...
0:36:26 > 0:36:28Yeah, over the moon.
0:36:34 > 0:36:39Finally, we're back in West Yorkshire with Inspector Sarah Keith
0:36:39 > 0:36:42and the case of the dog found hanging from a tree.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46In recorded interviews, the owners confessed to killing the dog
0:36:46 > 0:36:48because he was crippled with arthritis.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52They said they thought this would put him out of his misery.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56The RSPCA believes the dog suffered before and during the hanging,
0:36:56 > 0:36:59and is taking the owners to court,
0:36:59 > 0:37:02but it's a long process, and all the time the other dogs
0:37:02 > 0:37:05found in the property are waiting at kennels.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12Pontefract Magistrates' Court,
0:37:12 > 0:37:16and Inspector Sarah Keith is hoping today's case will mark
0:37:16 > 0:37:21the end of what's become a long and complicated investigation.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25She's hoping the owners will plead guilty to causing unnecessary
0:37:25 > 0:37:29suffering, meaning the other two dogs can finally he re-homed.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31But after a short hearing,
0:37:31 > 0:37:35Sarah leaves court without the outcome she was hoping for.
0:37:35 > 0:37:40It's been adjourned until the middle of March, which is about five weeks
0:37:40 > 0:37:43away now, which is a little bit frustrating.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46It's basically due to paperwork, I'm told.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48And an issue with legal aid.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50It's just frustrating from our point of view,
0:37:50 > 0:37:53because we've still got a couple of dogs in boarding
0:37:53 > 0:37:56that are in kennels that are waiting a decision, basically.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00It's looking like it might go to trial, so we'll just have to wait and see.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06So, for the other dogs, the wait to find a new home goes on.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08Bouncer and Midge are the innocent victims
0:38:08 > 0:38:10of this lengthy legal process.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17They've been staying at the RSPCA kennels for eight months now.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21Rescue worker Karina Port is doing her best to keep their spirits up.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24It's so frustrating, seeing them in kennels
0:38:24 > 0:38:26when they don't really need to be here.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28They need to be in a loving home with family
0:38:28 > 0:38:33and having a great time, exercise on the beach and things like that.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36The bond between both dogs is as strong as ever.
0:38:38 > 0:38:39Out in the paddock,
0:38:39 > 0:38:43they show they're quite happy to keep each other entertained.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45You'll find them playing like this, and Midge normally
0:38:45 > 0:38:47chases after Bouncer first,
0:38:47 > 0:38:50and then they'll run around a bit more for about ten minutes, and then
0:38:50 > 0:38:54the role reverses, Bouncer normally gets on Midge when he's a bit tired.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Midge, Bouncer!
0:38:59 > 0:39:02Midge and Bouncer may be making the most of their time here,
0:39:02 > 0:39:04but what they really need is a loving home.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07Come on, lads, let's put you back, good boys.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09And that can't happen until the case
0:39:09 > 0:39:12against their previous owners is over.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Five weeks later, the owners are back in court.
0:39:20 > 0:39:26This time, there's a result. They admit causing unnecessary suffering.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29Sarah was in court as the sentences were handed down.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32They've both received community orders
0:39:32 > 0:39:34for 12 months under supervision.
0:39:34 > 0:39:39They've both been ordered to pay £1,200 costs each towards the case,
0:39:39 > 0:39:43and they've been banned for all animals for ten years.
0:39:43 > 0:39:44They've also...
0:39:44 > 0:39:48- Mr- BLEEP- has been given 100 hours' community service, unpaid work,
0:39:48 > 0:39:50- and Mrs- BLEEP- has been given 80 hours.
0:39:50 > 0:39:55The offence of causing unnecessary suffering is a serious one,
0:39:55 > 0:39:57but the fact that the dog was hanged
0:39:57 > 0:40:01in itself is... On its own, even it hadn't suffered prior,
0:40:01 > 0:40:03which we know it did,
0:40:03 > 0:40:05it choked to death, so, all in all, a good result
0:40:05 > 0:40:07for animal welfare today.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Go on, Midge, good boy, good boy. Good boy, good boy.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17With the court case over, a few weeks later Bouncer and Midge
0:40:17 > 0:40:21- are finally given the happy ending they deserve.- Come on then, Midge.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23A few miles away from the rescue centre,
0:40:23 > 0:40:27a family from Hull have given both dogs a fresh start.
0:40:27 > 0:40:28We've always had dogs.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33We had a Labrador for 16 years, and unfortunately she died,
0:40:33 > 0:40:37so we felt a big hole was missing out of our lives,
0:40:37 > 0:40:40so we went to the RSPCA, and luckily we found these two.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43They've been here two months now,
0:40:43 > 0:40:47and are settling in fantastically, really well.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49Beautiful dogs.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52And they get their walks in the morning.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54Half past five, Susan's up every morning,
0:40:54 > 0:40:55taking them for a walk in the local park.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58And then in the evening we all go for a walk together,
0:40:58 > 0:41:01either onto the beach or into the park.
0:41:01 > 0:41:02Really enjoying life with them,
0:41:02 > 0:41:05and, hopefully, they're enjoying life with us as well.
0:41:05 > 0:41:06They follow each other round,
0:41:06 > 0:41:09they love playing together and play fighting together.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14You can't separate them, literally can't separate them.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19For Bouncer and Midge, the past 12 months has been a test
0:41:19 > 0:41:22of both their character and friendship.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24Come on, then. Come on.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27But they pulled through together and
0:41:27 > 0:41:32- with the help of their new family, their future is now secure.- Fetch!
0:41:34 > 0:41:37Come on, then. Midge, Midge.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47If you think you know of a case of wildlife crime or an animal
0:41:47 > 0:41:50that needs immediate protection,
0:41:50 > 0:41:51remember there are people out there
0:41:51 > 0:41:54who will answer your call right around the clock.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57They are the people we meet on Animal 24:7.
0:41:59 > 0:42:02Next time on Animal 24:7...
0:42:02 > 0:42:04I don't like being pushed about, me.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06No-one's pushing you about, are they?
0:42:06 > 0:42:08Tensions run high on a Leeds housing estate.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10Why don't you leave people alone?
0:42:10 > 0:42:14I can't leave you alone until you get your situation sorted.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17Investigations into the illegal trapping of wild birds.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20The net is very fine. The animals won't see this
0:42:20 > 0:42:22as they come through the gaps in the hedgerows,
0:42:22 > 0:42:25and I would suggest for the sole purpose of catching finches.
0:42:25 > 0:42:30- And, a security breach. - Drive him towards me, I'm over here.
0:42:30 > 0:42:35The troops are called in to catch an unlikely infiltrator. There he is.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37It turns out it was us that was outflanked, not the deer.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:42:52 > 0:42:55E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk