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 > 0:00:17Fighting to save them is a dedicated band of people trying to protect
0:00:17 > 0:00:19and care for them right around the clock.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22This is Animal 24/7.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46Today on Animal 24/7:
0:00:47 > 0:00:50A young dog's battle to stay alive.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54It's definitely the worst I've seen. It makes me feel sick,
0:00:54 > 0:00:58that somebody has purposely hurt this animal
0:00:58 > 0:01:00who cannot defend himself.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04Investigating what's making Sasha so sad.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08I'm really concerned because she just didn't want to move
0:01:08 > 0:01:11and her eyes were shutting and she was just getting tired.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- I was scared and I just panicked. - And:
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Protecting the monsters lurking in Scottish waters.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22We have got all our lines in, they're baited and weighted.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26We are in the perfect spot. But are we going to catch one?
0:01:31 > 0:01:37First to the West Midlands and the story of a young dog left in a terrible condition.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41The dog was brought into a local veterinary surgeon's as a stray.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44So now, as well as making him better, the hunt is on
0:01:44 > 0:01:48for the person responsible for leaving him at death's door.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59At the Lockwood Animal Hospital in Willenhall,
0:01:59 > 0:02:03staff have been fighting to save the life of a desperately ill dog.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09The Staffordshire bull terrier was brought in by a member of the public
0:02:09 > 0:02:12after being found collapsed under a bush.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15He was so weak he could barely stand.
0:02:15 > 0:02:20His emaciated body was covered in painful wounds and he was in agony.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24No-one thought he had the strength to survive.
0:02:24 > 0:02:25It was shocking.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29I seriously considered putting him to sleep there and then
0:02:29 > 0:02:33on humane grounds because he looked in such a poor state
0:02:33 > 0:02:36that I didn't know if he actually could recover.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38But this dog is a fighter.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45A week later, he's has been given the appropriate name of Rocky.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47Good boy.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51His improvement is encouraging, but he's still severely underweight,
0:02:51 > 0:02:52weak and subdued.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59It is definitely the worst I've seen. There's no body fat on this dog.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01The tops of his head here,
0:03:01 > 0:03:05all the muscle has wasted away, which doesn't happen over a few days.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09That's several weeks before that would start to deteriorate like that.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12It makes me feel sick that somebody has purposely
0:03:12 > 0:03:16hurt this animal who cannot defend himself,
0:03:16 > 0:03:20and I really hope that the RSPCA can find that person
0:03:20 > 0:03:23and that they can be prosecuted for this.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Rocky has been the victim of serious neglect.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34The RSPCA has now been called in to find the person responsible.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38Hi. Hello, Rocky!
0:03:38 > 0:03:42Inspector Jayne Bashford is leading the investigation.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44What a change!
0:03:44 > 0:03:45He's doing ever so well.
0:03:45 > 0:03:50I can't believe it. What have you been doing with him since I saw you?
0:03:50 > 0:03:52The last time you saw him he still couldn't stand.
0:03:52 > 0:03:57He was still attached to his drip. We have been gradually feeding him up.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59Now he can take the food himself through a bowl.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08It was really upsetting to see him on the day, as he was,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11screaming, screaming in pain.
0:04:13 > 0:04:18So, obviously now, I'm on the hunt for who owned him
0:04:18 > 0:04:21and hopefully find who was responsible.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27Jayne's investigation includes a full press and publicity campaign
0:04:27 > 0:04:30appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32Thank you very much. Bye-bye.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37Less than two weeks after Rocky was found, Jayne has a lead.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43She now has the name and address of someone who allegedly owned Rocky.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48The lady that took him to the vets...
0:04:48 > 0:04:50found him in a small park,
0:04:50 > 0:04:54which is actually on the same road as the intelligence
0:04:54 > 0:04:58that has come forward as to the potential previous owner of him.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00So it's all very...close
0:05:00 > 0:05:03and it seems...suspicious.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12There's no-one at home.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Jayne's not prepared to give up just yet.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18I'm just looking over
0:05:18 > 0:05:22the rear garden of the premises, because I just wanted to see if
0:05:22 > 0:05:26there was any evidence of a dog ever having been here.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29The neighbours have indicated that the person that lived here
0:05:29 > 0:05:32did own a Staffordshire bull terrier at some time.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Pity I can't see any evidence of a dog here.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37It's a bit frustrating, really.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43She decides to call a woman who first found Rocky.
0:05:43 > 0:05:48But after phoning HQ to get her details,
0:05:48 > 0:05:50there's a shocking development.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54OK, so can we just check that on previous calls as well?
0:05:54 > 0:05:59It seems the woman who brought Rocky to the vets lives at this house.
0:05:59 > 0:06:04These circumstances are particularly strange when you think about it.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11It could be that the dog was belonging to this property
0:06:11 > 0:06:14and had got into the condition he had...
0:06:16 > 0:06:19..and the owners just decided to take into the vets
0:06:19 > 0:06:23and create a story of being found under a bush collapsed.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27Fingers crossed we might know now where Rocky's come from.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40A week later, Jayne now has a warrant to search the house where she thinks Rocky lived.
0:06:42 > 0:06:48She wants to know if the people here are responsible for his neglect, and she has the police as back-up.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55- Hello. - Now, it's time to get some answers.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00Evidence has come to light that a dog may have been mistreated
0:07:00 > 0:07:02from this address.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Later:
0:07:11 > 0:07:14You know what the situation is with this dog,
0:07:14 > 0:07:18and I'm telling you now, I will not leave any stone unturned.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22And a painful procedure for Sasha the spaniel.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26As soon as I attach it anywhere on her foot she's distressed,
0:07:26 > 0:07:31so we will give her a sedation so that she doesn't remember her feet being played with.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42This is Crinan on the west coast of Scotland.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46It's an unusual port because sea-going vessels, like fishing boats
0:07:46 > 0:07:50and yachts, can actually come up this canal and cross in land.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54But our interest today lies out to sea, because in these
0:07:54 > 0:08:00Hebridean waters, lies an animal that was thought to be extinct.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05But beneath the waves, there still lurks this prehistoric monster.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20It may look the picture of tranquillity, but in the cold,
0:08:20 > 0:08:24dark depths, an epic battle for survival is underway.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36Here, the endangered common skate,
0:08:36 > 0:08:40one of the most majestic beasts of the sea, is making its last stand.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45Today I've hooked up with conservationist Ian Burrett
0:08:45 > 0:08:51- to find out more about the group of volunteers dedicated to helping them fight back. Hi.- Hi, Tom.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- Good morning.- Got the rods, got the reels, got the bait.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58The waters we're heading towards were once teeming with skate.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05But they've been hunted to near extinction.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10They are now so rare they are classed as a critically endangered species.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15When I think of a skate, I think of something kite-shaped.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Is that right? You're talking big here, big like my arm span.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21A big kite shape. Yes.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26The average fish will be around 180 lb and it might be 84 inches long.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27So they're a big fish.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Tell me a bit about the story of skate in these waters.
0:09:30 > 0:09:35- I gather they were thought to have completely disappeared. - The full name is the common skate.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38It should be called the uncommon skate because they're in waters
0:09:38 > 0:09:41all the way around the UK, right round the Mediterranean.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46The numbers have got to the stage where the IUCN declare them as critically endangered.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50But they are now protected thanks to a lot of work by shark conservation groups.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56We are working on the tagging to try to find more about the movements and the growth rates.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59I gather they are part of the shark family, is that right?
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Yes, they are. They like a squashed shark, a flattened shark.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05- So technically I'll be shark fishing today?- Yes indeed.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Well, at least I know what I am up against, a distant cousin of Jaws.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Our best chance of tagging one is in the deep, muddy waters
0:10:17 > 0:10:20between Crinan and Jura.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24And it soon becomes clear just how big a job I've taken on.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Wow! That is some hook.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31Gives you an idea of the size of beast we might be after.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34We are not alone on this mission.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Ian's son is skippering another boat.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39We'll make what I call a kebab.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42With the anchors down, it's time to get started.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46The first baits tend to be very big baits with lots of mackerel, which is very, very oily fish.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49The sharks are all attracted by the oil and blood.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55So that is a mouthful for a skate?
0:10:55 > 0:10:57- That's just a mince morsel. - Just a nibble?
0:10:57 > 0:11:02- Yes.- Wow.- And it's simply a matter now of dropping that to the bottom.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04That one's ready to go.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12- You can certainly see all the stuff in the water. - You can see the slip coming off.
0:11:15 > 0:11:20Skate are bottom feeders, and it takes a while for our delicacies to sink down.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27Ian explains how to tell if anything's swallowed the bait.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32So we've got that set. When the fish picks it up and runs with it now,
0:11:32 > 0:11:34it will take the line off.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40So that racheting noise, a lot of it, signals a fish, does it?
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Yep, that's the fish alert.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46Sometimes it happens straight away,
0:11:46 > 0:11:49other times you've got to wait longer.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52People, and yourself included, used to make money out of catching and
0:11:52 > 0:11:57probably killing these creatures, or perhaps not these, but other sea angling fish, didn't you?
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Now, it's all about conservation.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04As stocks drop there comes a time when you've got to start doing something about it.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08The problem with the sea is if it's out of sight, it's out of mind.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11There's nothing being done to protect these creatures.
0:12:11 > 0:12:16The likes of your common skate are actually on the same list as your pandas and your polar bears.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18They really are an endangered species.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23Although the government has now put on protection on the common skate,
0:12:23 > 0:12:28there are still areas like this which need protecting from destructive forms of commercial fishing.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32When you get it up, you try to put a tag on, but what's the point?
0:12:32 > 0:12:35The problem is with the sharks, there's no other way
0:12:35 > 0:12:40of assessing the numbers in an environmentally friendly way,
0:12:40 > 0:12:43so the volunteer anglers are really the only way
0:12:43 > 0:12:46we can actually assess stock populations.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53But to tag one, you have to catch one.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57And at last, something lurking down there makes its move.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04I can see a bit of a quiver on the end of the rod.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06- There's a fish on there.- Is there?
0:13:08 > 0:13:10Things start to move quickly.
0:13:11 > 0:13:16Yes. That's a skate. If you'd just like to hold that for me for a minute. Don't do anything.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26After a few tugs at the line,
0:13:26 > 0:13:29I'm not sure I'm doing things quite right.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32- Can't feel anything at the moment. - No, it's settled.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34I feel a lot of suspense, though!
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- It looks like that was a false alarm. - Really?
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Ah.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48INDISTINCT COMMENT
0:13:49 > 0:13:53Another tale of the big one who got away.
0:13:53 > 0:13:54Oh, look.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58There be no bait.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59It's had a free feed.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03So the one that got away got away with its own dinner as well.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Yeah, that's it.
0:14:06 > 0:14:11- But after a free starter thanks to us...- How big is it?
0:14:11 > 0:14:13'About sixty-ish...'
0:14:13 > 0:14:18..it looks like something's gone to Ian's son for the main course.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21Fish can only survive out of the water for a few minutes.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26As they prepare to tag it, I get my first glimpse of a common skate.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Wow, look at that!
0:14:31 > 0:14:34That was some fish! And that was only a 60-pounder, you say?
0:14:34 > 0:14:36- 160.- A 160-pounder. Sorry.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40We leave them to their work
0:14:40 > 0:14:44and skate off back to our own stretch of sea.
0:14:44 > 0:14:45That is a big fish.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53These fish are now on the same endangered list as Siberian tigers and polar bears.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59I really hope that's not the only one we get to see today.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04Now I've seen a skate on the other boat, I really do hope we catch one.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09We've got all our lines in, they're baited and weighted, and we're in the perfect spot.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11But are we going to catch one?
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- Coming up: - Oh, no, that's popped out of there.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Such a big fish.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29You've broken the reel here!
0:15:29 > 0:15:34And could forensic samples hold the key to Rocky's troubled past?
0:15:35 > 0:15:43They may look very small things, but they're vital in trying to find out what has happened to this dog.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50In our pets, illness and accident don't respect office hours,
0:15:50 > 0:15:54so animal medicine has to be a 24-hour business.
0:15:54 > 0:15:59Vets are not required by their professional body to offer a round-the-clock service,
0:15:59 > 0:16:04but there are a number of animal surgeries that remain open right the way through the night.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13In West Yorkshire,
0:16:13 > 0:16:16city life is starting to wind down as night falls.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19As most residents head off to bed,
0:16:19 > 0:16:25one veterinary team near Leeds is starting the long night shift.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30Abbey House is the main out-of-hours practice for the whole of West Yorkshire.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35That's over two million people and their pets.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43Duty vet Theresa Soppitt is with her first emergency patient.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46He probably will be a bit uncomfortable.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Toby's not been going to the toilet.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52Owner Belinda is worried he might have a blocked bladder. That can be fatal.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- Is he on wet or dry food? - He's mainly a dry-food cat.
0:16:56 > 0:17:01His gut did feel a bit gassy, so I'd keep an eye on that in terms of whether he's going
0:17:01 > 0:17:04to have a bit of follow-up of some diarrhoea and things.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07Everything seemed OK in there otherwise and obviously not blocked.
0:17:09 > 0:17:15Belinda has already lost two cats close together, so she's worried about Toby.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17One had lymphoblastic leukaemia.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21- Oh, right.- And 16 weeks later, I lost Freddie...
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Thankfully, the infection isn't serious.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27A shot of anti-inflammatory should help him feel better soon.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31So that'll help settle down the bladder wall, make him feel
0:17:31 > 0:17:34more comfortable and hopefully take away some of the urgency to pee.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Is he on wet or dry food?
0:17:36 > 0:17:38He's mainly a dry-food cat,
0:17:38 > 0:17:42but a couple of times a week, he either has a coley fillet
0:17:42 > 0:17:45or pollack fillet, you know?
0:17:45 > 0:17:47We have steamed fish!
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Pollack or coley, we have. He loves that.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53But other than that, no, he doesn't eat wet cat food as such.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- Should I...? - Does he not like it, or...?
0:17:56 > 0:17:59He doesn't and he... Well, he can take it or leave it, really.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02But should I introduce that...?
0:18:02 > 0:18:07The more liquid they take on board, the more flushes through the bladder.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Cats' kidneys are exceptional at concentrating urine, so if
0:18:10 > 0:18:13they're on dry food, then they don't tend to make a lot of pee.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17Belinda is now no longer worried about her beloved pet cat.
0:18:17 > 0:18:22She can now go back to bed confident that Toby will make a full recovery.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25Let's get you home!
0:18:25 > 0:18:27Thank you.
0:18:29 > 0:18:34An hour later, and there's another anxious pet owner in the waiting room.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- Do you want to bring Sasha through? - This is Sasha.
0:18:39 > 0:18:44She's normally full of energy, but this evening, she can hardly move.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46She's in pain and seems to have a high fever.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53- Owner Peter is worried sick. - I didn't know what to do, to be honest.
0:18:53 > 0:19:00I just phoned my regular vet's, and on their answer machine it just told me to phone this number,
0:19:00 > 0:19:04and I were just glad that somebody answered the phone!
0:19:05 > 0:19:09I were really concerned, because she just didn't want to move,
0:19:09 > 0:19:11and her eyes were shutting, and she were getting tired.
0:19:11 > 0:19:16I were scared that she wasn't going to make it through the night, to be quite honest.
0:19:16 > 0:19:17And I just panicked.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24She's got like a swelling underneath her pad here.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Oh, that looks sore!
0:19:27 > 0:19:30And that whole pad is swollen.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33If you can compare it to the other feet,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36you can see the sheer size difference of it.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41Swelling and a high temperature are signs that an infection's taken hold.
0:19:41 > 0:19:47- She does have a fever.- Does she?- And it's making Sasha feel very ill.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51It's vital Theresa finds the cause.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55- Right...- Whether it's a grass seed or a scratch,
0:19:55 > 0:19:58or something's just damaged the skin...
0:19:58 > 0:20:00- Yeah.- ..and then it's reacted,
0:20:00 > 0:20:05- and then, with the warm moisture on there, it's just got infected and really swollen up.- Yeah.
0:20:05 > 0:20:11So we need to trim all this hair off so you can actually see it and see if we can find anything in particular.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16We just noticed she were just laying on our bed all the time.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19My girlfriend just noticed her foot. She were licking her foot.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22And then she just had a look at her foot,
0:20:22 > 0:20:24and then I just got concerned.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30Sasha now needs to be taken away for more tests.
0:20:30 > 0:20:35But Peter's never been without his dog. It's going to be a long night.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42Theresa needs to clip Sasha's coat back to expose the site of infection.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45WHIRRING
0:20:45 > 0:20:47That's a funny noise, isn't it?
0:20:47 > 0:20:48Funny noise!
0:20:48 > 0:20:50But Sasha is in pain...
0:20:50 > 0:20:51SASHA YELPS
0:20:51 > 0:20:54..and it's a real struggle to get close.
0:20:54 > 0:20:55It's really nasty under here.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00As soon as I touch the hair anywhere on her foot, she's in distress,
0:21:00 > 0:21:03so we will give her a sedation so that
0:21:03 > 0:21:05she doesn't remember her feet being played with.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07It also makes it easier in the future
0:21:07 > 0:21:10for doing trimming of her feet.
0:21:13 > 0:21:14Good girl!
0:21:15 > 0:21:17That smells bad.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24Much easier.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31It looks very painful.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34It's got quite a bit of infection, and it's really, really swollen.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43At last, the infected foot is exposed enough for a proper examination.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47This does need antibiotics and pain-relief anti-inflammatory,
0:21:47 > 0:21:51cos it's very painful and it will get worse.
0:21:51 > 0:21:56But now that it's all been opened up to the air, it should be able to dry up much better.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02She just has a bit of healing to do now.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Sasha's treatment is complete, but she's still very drowsy
0:22:10 > 0:22:14and must spend the night at the surgery, where Theresa can keep an eye on her.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23It's the next morning.
0:22:23 > 0:22:24Sasha!
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Peter's desperately hoping that Sasha is better.
0:22:31 > 0:22:32Hello!
0:22:32 > 0:22:34And she is!
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Sasha is back to her bouncy self.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40Have you ever been separated from her before?
0:22:40 > 0:22:42No, we haven't!
0:22:44 > 0:22:47We're all missing her.
0:22:47 > 0:22:52And last night, she were drowsy and she weren't herself,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55and now look at her, she's bouncing all over the place, so I'm happy.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Any problems, give us a ring.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Peter and Sasha leave very satisfied.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08Well, I'll just take her home and have a good look at her paw myself now I'm out,
0:23:08 > 0:23:13and just give her a good cuddle all the rest of the day, and hopefully she'll be jumping on us like normal.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19And me son'll be over the moon to see her, as well.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24For the night staff here, there's a day of rest before it all starts over again.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Still to come...
0:23:34 > 0:23:37One, two, three and pull. Ohhh!
0:23:37 > 0:23:41..the endangered skate finally takes the bait.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43What an amazing creature.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Just phenomenal. It's like something from another world.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54Earlier in the programme, we met Rocky the dog.
0:23:54 > 0:23:59He was taken to the vet's by a woman who said she had found him collapsed under a bush.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03Now RSPCA inspector Jayne Bashford is investigating
0:24:03 > 0:24:08whether the woman is, in fact, the person responsible for Rocky's neglect.
0:24:13 > 0:24:20Inside this house, inspector Jayne Bashford is interviewing the woman who took Rocky to the vet's.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23She suspects this might be Rocky's real owner.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand that?
0:24:27 > 0:24:33The woman confirms that she found a dog collapsed under a bench and took him to the vet's.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41After more questions, she also admits she used to own Rocky,
0:24:41 > 0:24:44who was then called Harvey, but she gave him away a year ago.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47Where is he now?
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Jayne begins a search of the property.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56I do intend to have a look for evidence that...
0:24:56 > 0:25:00And it doesn't take her long to find something which contradicts the woman's story.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Is this where he lived, was it?
0:25:06 > 0:25:09How long's this carpet been down?
0:25:09 > 0:25:12A couple of months? And Harvey's not been here for over a year?
0:25:12 > 0:25:17The carpet is covered in numerous dog hairs that match Rocky's hair colour.
0:25:17 > 0:25:23You've just told me this carpet's only been down two month, so why is his hair everywhere?
0:25:23 > 0:25:27Jayne takes samples as evidence.
0:25:27 > 0:25:32You know what the situation is with this dog, and I'm telling you now, I will not leave any stone unturned.
0:25:32 > 0:25:39If you know something about this dog, I urge you, I really urge you, to tell me the truth.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43Jayne wants to investigate further.
0:25:43 > 0:25:49The woman is taken to the police station, where Jayne can continue her questioning.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53While she's acknowledging the existence of a dog
0:25:53 > 0:25:58called Harvey, she's essentially denying any knowledge of him
0:25:58 > 0:26:01within the last 12 months or so,
0:26:01 > 0:26:07and a search of the floor of the annexe area at the rear of the kitchen of the property
0:26:07 > 0:26:13has revealed quite a considerable amount of old, compacted dog faeces
0:26:13 > 0:26:16and a blanket of very distinctive white dog hairs.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20If we can establish a link between this hair to Rocky,
0:26:20 > 0:26:25then the chain of evidence is looking very good.
0:26:25 > 0:26:33They may look very small things, but they're vital in trying to find out what has happened to this dog.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39At the police station, the woman changes her story.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42She tells Jayne Rocky's hairs could be found on her carpet
0:26:42 > 0:26:46because she took him into her house before taking him to the vet's.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Jayne's going to need more concrete evidence.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Four weeks have passed since Rocky first came to the vet's.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04Jayne is back to check on his progress.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06Is this the same dog?!
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Are you the same dog?
0:27:11 > 0:27:15- Good boy! - The change in Rocky is incredible.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18A few weeks ago, he was skinny and subdued.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Now he's piled on the weight and has bags of energy.
0:27:22 > 0:27:29When the call initially came through to ourselves from Gemma and the staff here,
0:27:30 > 0:27:34he was at death's door, literally, with no exaggeration.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36And he was...
0:27:36 > 0:27:42It's just one of those images that will last in my mind for years to come,
0:27:42 > 0:27:47is to have seen this dog emaciated, collapsed and screaming.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51It was just awful, and I just think
0:27:53 > 0:27:55what a tribute to the staff, you know?
0:27:55 > 0:27:59With good work and good treatment and some love,
0:27:59 > 0:28:03you know, the results speak for themselves, don't they?
0:28:03 > 0:28:05It's just absolutely...
0:28:05 > 0:28:07I'm absolutely delighted.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09Going to miss you, aren't we?
0:28:09 > 0:28:14He's made such good progress, Rocky is now ready for the next stage of his journey.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21Everyone who comes into contact with him is falling in love with him.
0:28:24 > 0:28:25Bye, then.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36This is Birmingham's Animal Centre.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44Staff here will be responsible for finding Rocky a new home.
0:28:46 > 0:28:53The re-homing and assessment process is really the final, the final hurdle that Rocky needs to pass.
0:28:53 > 0:28:59And we've come so far, I just hope now that he will pass his assessments,
0:28:59 > 0:29:02and that will give him the green light then to be re-homed.
0:29:04 > 0:29:09But before Rocky can leave, he'll have to undergo a series of personality tests,
0:29:09 > 0:29:11to make sure he's a suitable for re-homing.
0:29:11 > 0:29:12Night, darling.
0:29:12 > 0:29:17After all he's been through, everyone is just hoping he'll pass.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25- Later...- We can already tell, he's a very, very affectionate dog.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28But he might be a bit boisterous for people with very young children.
0:29:31 > 0:29:37Scotland is well known for its creatures of the deep, but it's not just the Loch Ness monster
0:29:37 > 0:29:39which is famed for its vanishing act.
0:29:39 > 0:29:47All along its rugged coastline, whole populations of skate - a fish that's a member of the shark family
0:29:47 > 0:29:49- have gone into alarming decline.
0:29:56 > 0:30:01For three hours now, I've been trying to hook the endangered common skate.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05But so far, things are not going well.
0:30:09 > 0:30:15The conservationists want to catch and tag the fish to gather statistics -
0:30:15 > 0:30:19to help learn more about the species' decline.
0:30:20 > 0:30:27We've just put a smaller hook and bait in, in order to catch maybe a dogfish or a baby skate.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34And then, our luck changes - Ian gets a positive bite.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38This feels like a big fish.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42Ian lets me take control.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45If you get a few turns, mate, as quick as you can, we've got to set the hook.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49And lift with the rod...
0:30:50 > 0:30:53- Got some weight there? - Yeah, it's skidding.
0:30:54 > 0:30:59Skate can weigh up to 200lb, and live till they're 50.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02He's pulling that line.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04This one certainly feels like a brute.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07Bend your knees a little bit. That's it...
0:31:07 > 0:31:11- It can take an hour to haul them up. - You're in for a marathon now, Tom.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14I settle in for a battle of wits.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17It's a matter of waiting... You can see the red tip moving.
0:31:17 > 0:31:24As I continue my epic contest, Ian took to smaller but equally impressive species of shark.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30That is a very rare fish, actually.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34- What have you got there? - That...is a very rare fish.
0:31:34 > 0:31:40That is a black-mouthed dogfish, but they are rare fish.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43- Fully-grown, that one?- Yes, that's about as big as they get.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45The dogfish is quickly returned to the sea.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47You can get a few turns on that.
0:31:47 > 0:31:52And Ian returns to help me with what feels like a whale, let alone a skate.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55I can really feel the bulk of this.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57That's the fish making a dive.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06But just as I feel I'm getting close, there's a snag.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09Oh, no, that's popped out of there.
0:32:09 > 0:32:10The reel has seized up.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15We have to do a running repair.
0:32:15 > 0:32:20With the huge fish still on the line, Ian needs to act quickly.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23Such a big fish.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26- You've broken the reel. - You've broken the real, yeah!
0:32:26 > 0:32:30He must cut the line and attach it to another rod and reel.
0:32:32 > 0:32:37It's not going to be easy, but we just have to hope after all this is over that the fish is still on.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41With the knot tied, now the pressure's back on me.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43Just wind, wind, wind.
0:32:43 > 0:32:44Still there, got some weight?
0:32:44 > 0:32:48Now we have to hope the knot holds.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52I'm just getting into a bit of a rhythm of this here.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56It's undoubtedly exciting and challenging,
0:32:56 > 0:32:59and what's really brilliant is to be able to do this,
0:32:59 > 0:33:04but knowing the fish is not going to be damaged - in fact, it's going to benefit the population here.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12I don't think it'll be long now.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16Finally, after an hour, the distinctive shape of a skate begins to emerge.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22Oh, it's a beauty. It's a monster fish.
0:33:22 > 0:33:23It's a belter.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27Haven't quite caught a glimpse yet. Woah!
0:33:30 > 0:33:32It's huge!
0:33:34 > 0:33:36Absolutely massive.
0:33:38 > 0:33:43We now need to measure and tag this vast skate, and we need to work fast.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49Does that hurt them at all, Ian?
0:33:49 > 0:33:52No, this is... It looks cruel, it's actually cartilage.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58Stand on the edge there and pull up, and lift the fish in.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01One, two, three, and pull!
0:34:01 > 0:34:02Oh!
0:34:05 > 0:34:06Look at that!
0:34:08 > 0:34:10And that is a common skate.
0:34:10 > 0:34:11What an amazing creature.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15It's phenomenal - it's like something from another world.
0:34:16 > 0:34:21It's time to quickly take the vital statistics.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24So, 63 inches, and then we need to measure the...
0:34:24 > 0:34:26Round the tail.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29- Yep.- It's amazingly placid when it's down here.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32Yes, yeah.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34I can't believe it's so calm.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38- 83.- And is it tagged?
0:34:38 > 0:34:40- We're going to tag it now. - Brilliant.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43We're doing something useful, tagging this one.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47The tag has a unique number, which records
0:34:47 > 0:34:51each fish's details, and can track what kind of distance they travel.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55- Are you ready...?- Our skate must be back in the water within minutes.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58Now you can feel the full weight...
0:34:58 > 0:35:02So, formalities completed, we ease it carefully into the sea.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05- Like that? - Yeah. Are you ready to go?- Yeah.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12With a few graceful strokes of its wings, it quickly vanishes.
0:35:12 > 0:35:18- It's great to think that we've given them a better chance by putting that little tag in them.- Yes.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21How old do you think that fish is, roughly?
0:35:21 > 0:35:23Between 50 and 60 years old.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27- Really?- The bigger ones are 70 years old, so it's an old lady.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Wow! What an experience, what I've seen in these waters. Amazing.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35And after that excitement, it's not long before we're in action again.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38Wow, that's a whopper.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41'There's a cry of another skate from Ian's son's boat.'
0:35:43 > 0:35:44One, two, three...
0:35:49 > 0:35:54And this one proves the work Ian and his colleagues are doing is having an effect.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56That's the second time we've caught it.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58We first tagged it in spring last year.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01So that just shows they stay in the local area,
0:36:01 > 0:36:04and they survive the tagging quite comfortably, it doesn't harm them.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09So what were the dimensions, Matthew?
0:36:11 > 0:36:14- 78.- 78.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16This tagging will help build
0:36:16 > 0:36:20a complete picture of the health of Scotland's skate population.
0:36:20 > 0:36:25It will allow conservationists to protect this remarkable creature's future.
0:36:27 > 0:36:32It's been a fascinating day out, and the really brilliant thing is, it reveals what we never see -
0:36:32 > 0:36:35and that's the problem for so many of these species -
0:36:35 > 0:36:39a lot of them are being wiped out beneath the waves without us even knowing.
0:36:39 > 0:36:45Ian's principle object is to make people aware, make people know, and that way, we care.
0:36:55 > 0:37:00Earlier, we saw Rocky, the Staffordshire bull terrier.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02He'd been the victim of horrendous neglect.
0:37:02 > 0:37:07He'd been starved, and as a result, had lost much of his spirit and energy.
0:37:07 > 0:37:13Despite a thorough investigation, RSPCA Inspector Jayne Bashford's still no closer to finding out
0:37:13 > 0:37:17who owned Rocky, and who was responsible for his condition.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20But there is some good news.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31Barnes Hill Animal Home in Birmingham.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34It's been six weeks since Rocky was first brought to the vet.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37Good boy.
0:37:37 > 0:37:42He's made a full recovery, and his character has changed beyond recognition.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44Wait.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47- Good boy, come on. - Once timid, he's now full of life.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51This is Rocky's fifth day assessment.
0:37:51 > 0:37:57When a dog's been in kennels with us for five days, we give him that time to settle, and then on his fifth day
0:37:57 > 0:38:01we bring him out, we spend some time with him, fussing him, checking what he's like
0:38:01 > 0:38:06when he's being groomed. And we can already tell, he's a very, very affectionate dog.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10But he might be a bit boisterous for people with very young children.
0:38:10 > 0:38:15He's also inclined to mouth a bit. This is always to be discouraged, because it can turn
0:38:15 > 0:38:18into something a little bit harder and a little bit more dangerous.
0:38:18 > 0:38:23It's got nothing to do with aggression. It's just sometimes the way a dog communicates,
0:38:23 > 0:38:28but we don't want to encourage it, because if he does it to the wrong person, and pinches a bit hard,
0:38:28 > 0:38:33it's distressing for people, but it can be a death sentence to a dog, so we discourage mouthing.
0:38:34 > 0:38:39Now, Linda Ward has to decide whether this lively dog is ready to be found a new home.
0:38:39 > 0:38:44Rocky! What's this? Rocky! Rocky! What's this?
0:38:45 > 0:38:49- Round one - the obedience test.- Sit.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53Will you work for me? Sit down. No.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Sit. Wait.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58Wait.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00Oh, what a good boy!
0:39:00 > 0:39:02Full marks for that one!
0:39:02 > 0:39:06Rocky proves he also has a calm side to his personality.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08Oh, good boy. Come on.
0:39:08 > 0:39:13So, it's on to round two - possibly the hardest test of all...
0:39:13 > 0:39:14Good boy.
0:39:16 > 0:39:17The cat test.
0:39:17 > 0:39:22Let's walk down and see where the cats are. Any cats? What do we think about cats?
0:39:22 > 0:39:26At first, he doesn't seem too bothered.
0:39:27 > 0:39:28But then...
0:39:28 > 0:39:30What's this?
0:39:30 > 0:39:33When the cat reacts, the dog reacts back, which is not good.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35We don't want cats and dogs chasing around the house.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38So it's clear Rocky can't live with a cat.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41You are getting far too excited! Come on.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44Come here. Come on, baby.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46So now, the final round...
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Good boy. Rocky, come.
0:39:48 > 0:39:53The other thing I'm testing for is recall - will he come back when I want him on a lead?
0:39:53 > 0:39:58Because there's nothing worse than taking a dog to the park and the dog disappears into the middle distance.
0:39:58 > 0:40:05So... Rocky, come on, I'm going, I'm going without you. I am. Oh, got you, yes I did, I got you!
0:40:05 > 0:40:08The tests are over - it's time for Linda's verdict.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12What's Rocky like, then? What family could Rocky go to?
0:40:12 > 0:40:15He could go to a family not with very young children,
0:40:15 > 0:40:18because of his slight mouthing problem and his bouncy habit.
0:40:19 > 0:40:24But children over five or eight I would think he'd be perfectly happy with, and he'd probably enjoy
0:40:24 > 0:40:26their energy level as well.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28He's not going to be suitable for a very quiet family,
0:40:28 > 0:40:31someone who just wants to take him down to the shops and back.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34He's going to need a lot more exercise than that.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38He does need a bit more training, but I would say your average family home
0:40:38 > 0:40:40would suit Rocky down to the ground.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43That's better. Come on.
0:40:43 > 0:40:48So, after an exhausting afternoon for both Rocky and Linda, it's back to the kennels,
0:40:48 > 0:40:52where Rocky will now wait to see if anyone decides to take him home.
0:41:00 > 0:41:05Two months later, and Rocky is enjoying life with a new family.
0:41:07 > 0:41:12Anne Marie Stewart and her daughter, Chloe, were originally looking for a puppy.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16But Rocky's friendly face simply knocked them out.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20We took an instant liking to him, he was lovely.
0:41:20 > 0:41:25He was so energetic and bouncy, but really gentle as well with it.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27He still looks like a puppy, I think.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29He's lovely.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33And he's become a new best friend for Chloe.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36As I've seen her build with him as well before we brought him home,
0:41:36 > 0:41:38that was it, yeah, he's definitely coming home with us.
0:41:38 > 0:41:44But, yeah, you can see her, she's fantastic with him, and he's great with her.
0:41:47 > 0:41:52You can see, he just slotted in, like he was meant to be here anyway.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55He's been absolutely no problems at all.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59I don't know, it's like I've had him from day one, since he was born.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04When Rocky was found, he was at death's door.
0:42:04 > 0:42:08But after fighting back, he's made an amazing recovery.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12Now, with Anne Marie
0:42:12 > 0:42:16and Chloe in his corner, he's part of a championship team.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20We've given him a good home, but he's also bringing us a lot of joy.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22It's absolutely great.
0:42:29 > 0:42:34Jayne Bashford continued her investigations, but despite a public appeal,
0:42:34 > 0:42:40couldn't find enough information to prove who was responsible for Rocky's condition.
0:42:40 > 0:42:45If you think you know of a case of wildlife crime, or a creature that needs immediate protection,
0:42:45 > 0:42:50remember, there are dedicated professionals out there who will answer your call
0:42:50 > 0:42:51right around the clock.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55They are the people we meet on Animal 24/7.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:07 > 0:43:10E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk