0:00:02 > 0:00:04- Good boy. - Nearly half of Britain owns a pet...
0:00:04 > 0:00:05Nice one, mate.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07POUNDING ON DOOR It's the council and the police,
0:00:07 > 0:00:08can you open the door, please?
0:00:08 > 0:00:11..but man and beast don't always live together in harmony.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13I've reason to believe it is your dog
0:00:13 > 0:00:16and you've had it for a fair few years and not two weeks.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20When things go wrong, animal wardens are there to protect our pets...
0:00:22 > 0:00:24..and keep their owners in check.
0:00:24 > 0:00:25I'm not having my dog taken!
0:00:26 > 0:00:28I love you too.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31But for some of us, our animals are more than just pets...
0:00:31 > 0:00:33I wouldn't know what to do without him.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36..they can change and even save lives.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38I owe my life to these horses.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40This is Animal Saints And Sinners.
0:00:45 > 0:00:50Coming up - police support is needed to seize two suspected pit bulls...
0:00:50 > 0:00:54He's not a pit, he don't look like a pit, he's a Staff.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56..Animal Welfare officers are concerned
0:00:56 > 0:00:58that two dogs are being ill-treated...
0:01:00 > 0:01:02To shut it in that box isn't suitable.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06..and we meet two animals whose loyalty and bravery
0:01:06 > 0:01:09have had a huge impact on their owners' lives.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12However dangerous it is, he's always been tremendously brave.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14I've been blessed to be able to ride him.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21The Borough of Newham in East London is a sprawling urban area
0:01:21 > 0:01:25with many social problems, especially for Animal Welfare
0:01:25 > 0:01:29Manager Tina Delaney and Senior Welfare Officer Sue Heathcote.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Animal Welfare, can I help you?
0:01:36 > 0:01:40Tina and Sue have just started their shift.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44I don't think that that dog should be with that person at that premises.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58They're following up reports of pit bulls,
0:01:58 > 0:02:00a banned breed of dog, being kept as pets.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04If a banned dog is on public property,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07they have the power to seize it,
0:02:07 > 0:02:10but today they're visiting owners' homes, so need a court warrant...
0:02:11 > 0:02:13..and police backup.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19PC Sean Pickering is in charge of the operation.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23OK, today, we've got three warrants we've got from
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Thames Magistrates Court, all for dangerous dogs.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28They're particularly worried about one of the owners.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32We've done some checks on police systems and PNC,
0:02:32 > 0:02:37the owner of the dog is known to police for affray,
0:02:37 > 0:02:41where she was fighting in the street,
0:02:41 > 0:02:44again the intention is to attend the address
0:02:44 > 0:02:47with the warrant and seize the dog.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Must be in possession of body armour and PPE equipment.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57When you have a warrant, you can enter the premises
0:02:57 > 0:03:01and we need to be able to do that with the police.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03We do that for our protection
0:03:03 > 0:03:07and they deal with the humans on site and we deal with the dogs.
0:03:07 > 0:03:13So we prevent anything happening untoward with the dogs
0:03:13 > 0:03:16and they do the same with the people on the premises.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19So it's good partnership working. It's just a necessity, really.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22The law states that dogs are prohibited
0:03:22 > 0:03:26and we have reports about them, then we have to act on
0:03:26 > 0:03:28those reports so it's just part of the job.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33This is a return visit for Tina.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36A year ago, she suspected a puppy at the address
0:03:36 > 0:03:38had been bred as a pit bull.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41At the time she couldn't tell its breed but now it's older,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44it needs to be taken away for an official assessment.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Still filled with dog faeces.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Pit bulls were originally bred as fighting dogs and are banned due to
0:03:53 > 0:03:57their temperament and the increasing number of attacks on people.
0:03:57 > 0:03:58KNOCKING ON DOOR
0:04:08 > 0:04:11- Hello, can you open the door, please?- I ain't got no clothes on.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Well, you need to get some clothes on and open the door cos we've got a warrant.
0:04:15 > 0:04:16If you don't open the door...
0:04:16 > 0:04:18So, can you open the door?
0:04:19 > 0:04:20OK.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24With officers covering the back door,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26the police have the house completely surrounded.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Hello there. I'm with the council...
0:04:32 > 0:04:34A teenage girl is in the house
0:04:34 > 0:04:37and the dog belongs to her mother who isn't at home.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Just open the door, we need to...
0:04:40 > 0:04:43The owner's daughter is reluctant to let the police in
0:04:43 > 0:04:45so the officer calls her mother.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49We obviously don't want to force the door but that is an issue.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51We'd just like to come in and deal with the dog and then
0:04:51 > 0:04:55when you get here we can speak to you about the matter, all right?
0:04:55 > 0:04:58OK, well, we'll give you 10 minutes, then.
0:04:58 > 0:04:59Otherwise...
0:04:59 > 0:05:02If not, your daughter will open the door in 10 minutes' time, yes?
0:05:04 > 0:05:06If the owner doesn't turn up in time,
0:05:06 > 0:05:09the police will carry out their warning.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15And with two minutes to spare, she arrives.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22As Tina takes the owner to one side to tell her
0:05:22 > 0:05:26they will be seizing her dog, the owner's male cousin turns up.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34He also has a dog and Tina's suspicious.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- God! - SHE MUTTERS
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Unfortunately, I need to see his dog as well, in the car,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46cos it's a pit.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48She needs to seize the first suspected pit bull
0:05:48 > 0:05:51before she deals with the second.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53It's all right, come on, it's OK.
0:05:53 > 0:05:54It's all right.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00To identify a pit bull type breed, its body proportions are measured.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Tina has the authority to do this
0:06:03 > 0:06:06but will also take the dog to get an assessment
0:06:06 > 0:06:07from an independent expert.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11If the dogs aren't pit bulls,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14they'll be returned to the owners straightaway,
0:06:14 > 0:06:17but if they are, the owners could face a £5,000 fine
0:06:17 > 0:06:21and a six-month prison sentence and the dogs may be destroyed.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26When you go round to somebody's house with a warrant,
0:06:26 > 0:06:29you never know what to expect. And every single call is very different.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32This is a piece of legislation that is very, very difficult
0:06:32 > 0:06:36to enforce because ultimately the dog can pay with its life.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41With the pit bull safely in the van, Tina now deals with the cousin.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43- I want to have a look at your dog. - But my dog's not in a public...
0:06:43 > 0:06:46Your dog's inside a vehicle which is a public place
0:06:46 > 0:06:50when the dog's in there. Dangerous Dogs Act applies within a vehicle.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52- Hello!- Come here.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56Tina believes the dog is a banned breed and tells the owner that
0:06:56 > 0:06:59she's taking it for assessment, along with the other dog.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02Let's walk down the road and let's go and take everyone's dog, then,
0:07:02 > 0:07:04cos that's what you're basically doing, isn't it?
0:07:04 > 0:07:06If we see a prohibited dog in a public place, then...
0:07:06 > 0:07:09I'm not accepting that. You need to arrest me now, please.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11No, you need to arrest me now, please.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14You need to arrest me, come on! Arrest me, arrest me, mate.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- For what? - I'm not having my dog taken, am I?
0:07:17 > 0:07:19I'm not having my dog taken off me.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Lock the back now, lock the back.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- THEY ALL TALK AT ONCE - Lock the back.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28In an effort to stop Tina and Sue driving off with his dog,
0:07:28 > 0:07:32the owner decides to crawl under their van.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- Don't go, he's under your van.- Go!
0:07:35 > 0:07:36- Taking the- BLEEP.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Things are getting out of hand and we'll find out later
0:07:39 > 0:07:41if the owner finally sees sense.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45In Cambridgeshire, there's an animal
0:07:45 > 0:07:48who's changed her young owner's life.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Our life has been made happier
0:07:51 > 0:07:54because Maddy is such a wonderful dog.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Most importantly Maddy is Poppy's dog
0:07:57 > 0:08:00and anything that helps Poppy helps the whole family.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06Olivia Nicholson and her two children live a normal family life.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09But it wasn't always that way.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14When Poppy was born three months prematurely,
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Olivia didn't know whether she would survive.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23Poppy initially had a duct her heart that hadn't closed properly.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26She ended up with a pulmonary haemorrhage.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30She caught a skin condition called scalded skin syndrome
0:08:30 > 0:08:33which ate all of her skin up
0:08:33 > 0:08:36and I can only describe that her small, tiny body
0:08:36 > 0:08:41at that stage was like a bird which had come out of its shell too early.
0:08:41 > 0:08:46I had no idea until then how much premature babies can suffer,
0:08:46 > 0:08:48how horrific it is for them,
0:08:48 > 0:08:51and for the parents and what a roller coaster ride it is.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55After weeks of worry, Poppy pulled through,
0:08:55 > 0:08:57but there was more anxiety to come.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02When she was about 18 months or so, I realised that
0:09:02 > 0:09:05I would walk into her room but she wouldn't hear me as I said her name.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10After tests, it was discovered that Poppy's early ill-health
0:09:10 > 0:09:12had left her with a disability.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14She is severely deaf in one ear
0:09:14 > 0:09:16and moderately severely deaf in another ear.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20With almost complete deafness, Poppy relied on hearing aids
0:09:20 > 0:09:23during the day, but they were too uncomfortable to wear in bed.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Now aged 12 it's still something she has problems with.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33Once I took my hearing aids out, I would feel isolated.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37I used to get up all the time and...
0:09:39 > 0:09:43..because I wanted to check my parents were still there
0:09:43 > 0:09:46and even though it might sound a bit like, "Oh,
0:09:46 > 0:09:50"yes, your parents are there," but when you're deaf you don't know.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54As Poppy couldn't sleep at night, it affected her concentration
0:09:54 > 0:09:56and her confidence.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02With confidence, every child wants to be the same, the usual way,
0:10:02 > 0:10:06and Poppy had hearing aids so she suffered mostly
0:10:06 > 0:10:09whenever there was a new intake into the school.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12Obviously, inquisitive young children are going to ask,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15"What is that in your ear, Poppy, what are those things?"
0:10:15 > 0:10:18You feel like you're the only one going through this.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23Olivia felt she had to do more to help Poppy feel less isolated
0:10:23 > 0:10:27and after surfing the internet she got in touch with the charity
0:10:27 > 0:10:29Hearing Dogs For Deaf People.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Deaf children particularly feel very uncomfortable sleeping at night.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37We've often heard of deaf children who never slept
0:10:37 > 0:10:39in their own bedroom at night,
0:10:39 > 0:10:42so that's really an issue where hearing dogs can help dramatically.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46Poppy was one of the very first deaf children that we were able to help
0:10:46 > 0:10:48by placing a hearing dog with her family.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51They had to match Poppy with the right dog
0:10:51 > 0:10:53so training is very detailed.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58Hearing dogs are trained to alert deaf people to a wide range
0:10:58 > 0:11:01of sounds that are really important to their day-to-day lives
0:11:01 > 0:11:05so things such as the smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarms,
0:11:05 > 0:11:09the telephone, the doorbell, of course, is an obvious one -
0:11:09 > 0:11:10a whole range of skills.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Olivia had reservations at first about a new addition to the family.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20I must say my son was terrified of dogs and so was I, all my life,
0:11:20 > 0:11:25so we were not the most likely of families to have a hearing dog.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28But she needn't have worried.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30Four years ago, Maddy came into their lives,
0:11:30 > 0:11:33and for Poppy it was love at first sight.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37My first impressions would be crazy, funny and playful.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39When we first had Maddy,
0:11:39 > 0:11:43especially as we had never had a dog before, there was an instant bond.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48We thought she was really crazy but adorable, loving and quite bonkers.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52When Maddy was in training, we could see that she loved
0:11:52 > 0:11:55being around children, she really connected with children
0:11:55 > 0:11:57and that made her perfect
0:11:57 > 0:12:00for the hearing dogs for deaf children project,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03so she's been a joy to train and she really has some extra special
0:12:03 > 0:12:08characteristics that make her a very clever and adorable dog.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Poppy's ten-year old brother Henry wasn't so sure.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16I was scared of her at first when we first got her
0:12:16 > 0:12:18cos I've always been scared of dogs.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21But Maddy didn't take long to win him over.
0:12:21 > 0:12:27She doesn't, like, bite you, she's very kind. She is very playful.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32Maddy is a cockapoo, a cross between a cocker spaniel
0:12:32 > 0:12:36and a poodle. Her dedication and skill has transformed Poppy's life
0:12:36 > 0:12:40and she sleeps in Poppy's room, giving her 24-hour support.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43The first night we brought Maddy home,
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Poppy didn't get up and check,
0:12:45 > 0:12:47the very first night.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50So she was obviously comforted immediately
0:12:50 > 0:12:52that she had some ears there for her.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57I know she's in the room and I know if there's any danger,
0:12:57 > 0:13:02she would alert me and tell me
0:13:02 > 0:13:05and it's really comforting to know that.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Although Maddy's night duty is usually relaxed,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11it's the mornings when she's at her busiest.
0:13:13 > 0:13:18At about seven in the morning, if it...on weekdays,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21she would get me up and, um, by alarm,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23I'm in my bed and she pulls
0:13:23 > 0:13:28the sheets off me so I wouldn't have a choice because you have this
0:13:28 > 0:13:32dog face staring at you while it's getting you up, it's quite cute.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37Maddy also keeps an eye on Poppy's dental routine.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41Maddy listens out for another alarm which is always set for two minutes.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48She waits with me and makes sure I do the two minutes.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52Sometimes I take my hearing aids out before I clean my teeth so
0:13:52 > 0:13:54I wouldn't be able to hear the alarm
0:13:54 > 0:13:56so she would paw me and say, "It's finished."
0:13:56 > 0:14:00It's nice and helpful because
0:14:00 > 0:14:02I didn't used to clean my teeth...
0:14:02 > 0:14:06I would clean them but I don't think I would clean them for long enough.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09All hearing dogs are trained to fetch their owner if instructed.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13In Maddy's case, this often means telling Poppy her mum is calling...
0:14:13 > 0:14:15Fetch, Poppy!
0:14:16 > 0:14:19..especially when breakfast's ready.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27Poppy's anxieties are now a thing of the past.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30She's improved my life a lot
0:14:30 > 0:14:35because when we used to go out to shops, people would look at me,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38see my hearing aids and just start talking to my mum.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42I feel a bit like, "Hello, I'm here, you know, too."
0:14:42 > 0:14:43I feel invisible.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48Now people just come up to me and it's really nice
0:14:48 > 0:14:53because I don't sort of just stare at people, like, "Hello!"
0:14:53 > 0:14:57It's made me feel better and it's really boosted my confidence.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02I would say the main way Poppy has improved from
0:15:02 > 0:15:04since she's had Maddy as a hearing dog
0:15:04 > 0:15:08has been in acknowledging that she has a hearing loss,
0:15:08 > 0:15:12not going to school and covering her hearing aids with her hair.
0:15:12 > 0:15:18Obviously, with age, she has grown into a more confident teenage girl.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22When Poppy is out and about, Maddy is constantly alert,
0:15:22 > 0:15:23listening for danger.
0:15:23 > 0:15:29I think Poppy would be less confident.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33Now we've got Maddy, it's not that different from a normal person's
0:15:33 > 0:15:36life, she's very confident. She's a lovely sister.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42When we didn't have Maddy, I would be waking up Poppy
0:15:42 > 0:15:46so it would be a lot more worse for us to get to school and all that.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50Although mum, Olivia, was never a big dog lover,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Maddy has certainly changed her mind.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57I think anybody that has an amazing dog,
0:15:57 > 0:16:01slightly extra piece of jigsaw to the family.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04She's just really had a big impact on my life.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13In Newham, Animal Welfare Manager Tina now has some news
0:16:13 > 0:16:17on the suspected pit bulls she seized a few days ago.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20Tina suspected there was an illegal pit bull on the premises,
0:16:20 > 0:16:23which she had removed for assessment,
0:16:23 > 0:16:26but she's also found a second suspected pit bull,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29belonging to a different family member.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- I understand what you're saying... - How can you do that to people?
0:16:32 > 0:16:34- I understand where you're coming from.- BLEEP- off, mate.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37- The problem is we have to make sure the dogs properly assessed.- BLEEP.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39Let's see how this works for you.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42The two suspected pit bulls have been put in the van
0:16:42 > 0:16:44ready to go off for assessment
0:16:44 > 0:16:47but one of the owners isn't giving up his dog without a fight.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50Show me the paperwork, show me the laws. Show me the laws.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Show me the law.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55THEY ALL TALK AT ONCE
0:16:55 > 0:16:57The van protest hasn't worked
0:16:57 > 0:16:59and arguing isn't getting him anywhere either.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01- Relax.- No, I'm not relaxing.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03I can understand how you feel...
0:17:03 > 0:17:05No, I'm not relaxing, the council's informed,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08I've had my injections, I've had my chips...
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- No, no,- BLEEP.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14SHOUTING
0:17:14 > 0:17:17- No, no.- Look what you're doing, you're taking his dog.- BLEEP!
0:17:17 > 0:17:19So now he's trying another tack.
0:17:24 > 0:17:29He's jumped in his van and driven up the road and now Tina is blocked in.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31Just get a tow truck, then, eh?
0:17:33 > 0:17:37To make matters worse, he's got out of the van and run off with the key.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40- Where's my cousin gone?- He's just...
0:17:40 > 0:17:43I hope you're happy, though, I hope you're happy!
0:17:43 > 0:17:46I'm sorry, you were advised, you were advised and you knew...
0:17:46 > 0:17:49You knew my dog was not a pit. You knew my dog was not a pit.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53- It's not a pit bull!- It's being assessed.- It's not a pit bull.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56It's being assessed. It's being assessed.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- My dog is not a pit bull, I told you from day one.- It is being assessed.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01I ain't saying no more, I ain't saying no more.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03You lot are just all wrong.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- BLEEP!- You wouldn't come harassing me about a dog. Really!
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Nothing better to do with yourselves?
0:18:10 > 0:18:13With no other way of getting the dogs safely away,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Tina calls for more support.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19We're bringing another vehicle to remove the dogs.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22We're going to bring another vehicle round to remove the dogs
0:18:22 > 0:18:26- so we can take the dogs out anyway. - But another van won't be needed.
0:18:29 > 0:18:30The police are here.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33If it wasn't for the police, it would have completely kicked off.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35The police have now moved the owner's van,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38so Tina's colleague can leave safely with the dogs,
0:18:38 > 0:18:40but the owner still refuses to go quietly.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42BLEEP!
0:18:42 > 0:18:46You can have some people who just literally are devastated
0:18:46 > 0:18:49and stand there and cry and that's a really awful situation.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52Other times, you go into properties where you have a very aggressive
0:18:52 > 0:18:57owner and a lovely dog and even in those circumstances it's awful.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59I think that this is completely wrong, do you understand?
0:18:59 > 0:19:02How can she come to my house, after assessing our dogs before,
0:19:02 > 0:19:04she didn't give us a reason, that's number one, yeah?
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Number two, how can she take my cousin's dog, yeah?
0:19:07 > 0:19:10Out of the blue. He's not a pit, he don't look like a pit, he's a Staff.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13And he was taking her, he puts him on a lead,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16a lead ain't even appropriate and puts him on a lead
0:19:16 > 0:19:18and takes his dog when he's not even a Staff.
0:19:18 > 0:19:19He didn't take any detail or nothing
0:19:19 > 0:19:22and he's just come to take my dog as well.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24Then she's trying to get in the car and trying to drive off
0:19:24 > 0:19:27and my cousin's been arrested because of her actions.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31We really weren't expecting obviously him to turn up
0:19:31 > 0:19:35and obviously weren't expecting him to turn up with his dog either.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38You can never plan for anything nowadays,
0:19:38 > 0:19:41always expect the unexpected.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44If she's not a pit, she'll be returned to you tomorrow
0:19:44 > 0:19:47and if she is, in the light of the circumstances now,
0:19:47 > 0:19:50it will be a strong possibility that the council wouldn't support
0:19:50 > 0:19:52her coming back to you.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58With the dogs safely in the kennels, they will
0:19:58 > 0:20:00await an assessment from an independent expert.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03If they are proved to be a banned breed,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06the owners will have to go through an expensive
0:20:06 > 0:20:09and lengthy process for any hope of being able to keep them.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12The dogs are at a secret location.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15The reason for that is because they are pit bull type dogs
0:20:15 > 0:20:18and we do get concerned about the security of our dogs.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20So in the council kennels we keep stray dogs,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23however, our pit bulls do go somewhere else.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29People confuse the legislation, it doesn't mean that the dog
0:20:29 > 0:20:33is actually dangerous in its behaviour, it's a type of dog
0:20:33 > 0:20:37under the legislation and people often get confused with the wording.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39If you say Dangerous Dogs Act, the first thing a lot of people
0:20:39 > 0:20:41will say is, "My dog isn't dangerous."
0:20:41 > 0:20:44It doesn't actually really mean your dog has to be dangerous
0:20:44 > 0:20:46to fall within that act.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49Working in Newham has its challenges
0:20:49 > 0:20:53and for the Animal Welfare team there's never a dull moment.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55Animal Welfare, can I help you?
0:20:55 > 0:20:58OK, I think there is a serious risk.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01Tina's just had a tipoff
0:21:01 > 0:21:04that two German shepherds are being mistreated.
0:21:06 > 0:21:07So it's time to hit the road again.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14We're going on a call where it is alleged that
0:21:14 > 0:21:18a German shepherd dog is kept in a small kennel in the back garden
0:21:18 > 0:21:22and there's lots of people living at the premises
0:21:22 > 0:21:24and lots of rubbish
0:21:24 > 0:21:27and this is a particular problem that we have been having in Newham
0:21:27 > 0:21:31with German shepherds and Belgian shepherds being kept in tiny cages,
0:21:31 > 0:21:35so we're going to visit the premises
0:21:35 > 0:21:38and see if there is a dog in the back garden
0:21:38 > 0:21:40and the accommodation that it's living in.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45Tina manages a team of five Animal Welfare officers
0:21:45 > 0:21:48and as a unit they can deal with up to 2,000 badly treated
0:21:48 > 0:21:50or dangerous animals a year.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57Someone's just twitched the curtain.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Hello?
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Hello, I'm from the London Borough of Newham Animal Welfare Service
0:22:05 > 0:22:08and we've got a complaint about a dog that's in your back garden.
0:22:08 > 0:22:09All right, yeah.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- Can I come in and have a look? - Yeah.- Thank you.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15Is your dog OK with strange people?
0:22:15 > 0:22:19- I don't know, maybe.- Will he bite?
0:22:19 > 0:22:24I think so. It's not mine, so I don't know.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29- OK, is it OK with people it doesn't know?- It's not.- No?
0:22:29 > 0:22:32So it's aggressive with people it doesn't know, is it?
0:22:32 > 0:22:38I think so, it's better to unknown people keep away from him.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41That is over there. You can open it, no problem.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44- Yes, OK.- OK.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47- Don't go, don't... - So where is the owner?
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Upstairs?
0:22:49 > 0:22:53OK, where's that, then, please? Just up here? OK.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57- Up here?- Yes, up here.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Hello, I'm from the council.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03- So who's the owner of the dog?- Yes.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05You are the owner of the dog, are you?
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Is he a pet? Or is he used for working?
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- No, pet dog.- He is a pet dog.- Yes.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- But he's not OK with strangers? - No.- Right, OK.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15So if he's a pet dog, why isn't he OK with strangers?
0:23:15 > 0:23:16Well, he's OK with strangers.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18OK, can we go down and have a look at him,
0:23:18 > 0:23:19outside in the garden, then, please?
0:23:19 > 0:23:21I'll go outside while you get up, OK?
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Downstairs, Sue has spotted something.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25A fluorescent jacket in the corridor
0:23:25 > 0:23:28- that looks like it says dog handler on it.- Where?- Here.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Because the dogs are said to be antisocial and could attack,
0:23:31 > 0:23:35Tina needs someone to restrain them before she checks them over.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39- What is your name, please?- Amin.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42- Have you got something for identification?- Yes, I do.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44Please show that to me in a moment.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53And there's evidence that the dogs could be used for security work.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00If Tina isn't happy with the dog's living conditions
0:24:00 > 0:24:04and the man turns out to be the owner, he could be prosecuted.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06- So this is your dog? - No, not that one.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09- Pardon?- Not this one.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13But it's not just the welfare of the dogs that Tina is worried about.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16- So do you use your dog for security work?- No, just for like...
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Who owns the dog jacket? Dog handler jacket.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20For the previous one, not my one.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23- So you own the one in here that you've just put in here.- Yes.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27The dog in the run is living in its own mess and the other one,
0:24:27 > 0:24:29owned by this man, is kept cooped up
0:24:29 > 0:24:32in a tiny windowless part of the kennel,
0:24:32 > 0:24:36and as they are a male and a bitch, there could be future problems.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40DOGS BARK
0:24:40 > 0:24:42Does your dog stay in here at night?
0:24:44 > 0:24:47This isn't an acceptable place for your dog to be.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Right, why do you have your dog if he lives in the garden?
0:24:59 > 0:25:01For your hobby, what kind of hobby do you have?
0:25:05 > 0:25:08I'm asking you, because I don't believe that you're not using
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- your dog for security work. - No, no, I'm not.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Where's the owner of this dog?
0:25:13 > 0:25:16You don't know where he is?
0:25:16 > 0:25:20Tina has all the evidence she needs.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence
0:25:22 > 0:25:26if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Anything you do say may be given in evidence, do you understand that?
0:25:29 > 0:25:32SPEECH DROWNED OUT BY BARKING DOGS
0:25:36 > 0:25:38What I'm going to give you is I'm going to give you
0:25:38 > 0:25:40an improvement notice, OK?
0:25:40 > 0:25:43You've got seven days to clean up this garden.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46Well, one day might be enough for you
0:25:46 > 0:25:49but I'm going to give you seven days to do it, OK?
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Your garden needs to be free from any items that will harm your dog...
0:25:53 > 0:25:55I just need you to listen to me,
0:25:55 > 0:25:58and it needs to be a suitable environment, OK?
0:25:58 > 0:26:05Things like these bits of tins of cans, you've got sharp objects,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08a nail sticking out of the wood, all of that needs to be cleared.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11The dog must also have suitable accommodation for it
0:26:11 > 0:26:13to go into at night. This isn't suitable.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15To shut it in that box isn't suitable.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18You're going to clear this up, are you? But that's not your dog.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23When does this person come to look at his dog? Does he live here?
0:26:30 > 0:26:34Do you have identification with photo ID, please? Thank you.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39I think the worst part of my job is
0:26:39 > 0:26:43when you know an animals being ill-treated but it's not being
0:26:43 > 0:26:46ill-treated to the extent where you can take it away.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50Leaving a dog or any animal is really, really difficult.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55Is that OK? My photo is there, it's a previous one.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58Do you have any letters or anything to this address?
0:26:58 > 0:27:00- I just didn't... I just moved in. - OK.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03While Tina's deals with the red tape,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Sue takes note of the rubbish and mess in the garden.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13There's a pot of something here which I have no idea what it is
0:27:13 > 0:27:16but it's not pleasant, it's got no lid on it
0:27:16 > 0:27:21and it certainly shouldn't be left around dogs unsupervised.
0:27:21 > 0:27:22DOG BARKS
0:27:22 > 0:27:25What you need to remember is you live in a residential area
0:27:25 > 0:27:29and your dogs barking like this and the smell is not acceptable.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- OK?- Yes.- It's like going into your house and shutting you
0:27:32 > 0:27:35into one room and expecting to stay there for your life.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40Tina's improvement notice is given under the Animal Welfare Act
0:27:40 > 0:27:44and if the owner hasn't taken her advice by her next visit,
0:27:44 > 0:27:46she will remove the dogs.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50I am concerned that there's a dog handler jacket in there as well.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53If you're working your dog and you're not being honest with me,
0:27:53 > 0:27:57then we may take action against you. You need to understand that.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59OK, then? Thank you very much for your help.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01How many people live in your premises?
0:28:08 > 0:28:11You don't... How many people have you seen? Six?
0:28:11 > 0:28:14And Tina has one last concern.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17Are there fish in this tank?
0:28:21 > 0:28:23Thankfully, the fish tank is empty.
0:28:25 > 0:28:26Thank you.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29Tina has given the dog owner plenty of time to start putting
0:28:29 > 0:28:34things right, but she's still worried about the long-term future.
0:28:34 > 0:28:39It is a property that we are going to have to monitor,
0:28:39 > 0:28:41and go back and visit in seven days.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47It's just another one of them, isn't it?
0:28:47 > 0:28:50Another one of those German shepherd houses.
0:28:53 > 0:28:54We'll find out later
0:28:54 > 0:28:57whether the owner has decided to take Tina's advice.
0:29:03 > 0:29:07In the UK, there are 272 police horses
0:29:07 > 0:29:09who undergo years of intense training
0:29:09 > 0:29:13before being put to work on some of our nation's most important,
0:29:13 > 0:29:16high-profile and often dangerous duties.
0:29:25 > 0:29:30In Milton Keynes, police officer Louisa Watson has 14 years' experience
0:29:30 > 0:29:33of working for the Thames Valley Mounted Section,
0:29:33 > 0:29:37which has worked with over 80 horses during the last 28 years.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42The horses are exposed to all types of work, demonstrations
0:29:42 > 0:29:45and football matches and concerts, crowds, disorder,
0:29:45 > 0:29:47patrolling estates like the one we're on at the moment
0:29:47 > 0:29:49for antisocial behaviour.
0:29:49 > 0:29:53Police horses go through a specific training regime so, yes,
0:29:53 > 0:29:56it might be a little bit stressful but the horses are extremely brave.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01When you're at a really bad demonstration or football match
0:30:01 > 0:30:03where there's disorder,
0:30:03 > 0:30:06the horse trusts you as you're putting it into that difficult
0:30:06 > 0:30:09and stressful situation,
0:30:09 > 0:30:11and that's how you build the bond.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14But when the horses get older, they are retired from active duty.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22We see these horses that have been owned by the taxpayer as equine
0:30:22 > 0:30:26civil servants, effectively, so they have served the country or the
0:30:26 > 0:30:30community, but there is no taxpayer money after they finish work.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38These brave animals deserve a happy retirement,
0:30:38 > 0:30:40and the right home, but it can take time.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51Jeanette Allen is the Chief Executive of
0:30:51 > 0:30:53The Horse Trust in Buckinghamshire,
0:30:53 > 0:30:57a charity set in 200 acres of the Chiltern countryside,
0:30:57 > 0:31:00offering a home and respite for these working horses.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06Those animals that have served can come to us on their retirement,
0:31:06 > 0:31:09as long as we have places. We can only have around 100 animals.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12And generally, we take the ones that no-one else would want.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16And one horse that certainly deserves to be here is Romulus,
0:31:16 > 0:31:19who has been a resident for seven months.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23Romulus is a 13-year-old bay gelding.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26He's served with the Thames Valley Police for six years.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30During his time there, Romulus worked on crowd control,
0:31:30 > 0:31:32helped search for missing persons
0:31:32 > 0:31:35and protected the Queen on security duties.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37He also received two commendations for his willingness
0:31:37 > 0:31:40to work in dangerous and violent situations.
0:31:43 > 0:31:48This is Romulus, retired due to intermittent lameness.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51He also had some skin problems and dust allergies,
0:31:51 > 0:31:55and so he's much happier either in a big barn or in an open environment.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59He can still be ridden occasionally, so sometimes he helps us
0:31:59 > 0:32:02with training our young rescue horses and ponies, and he'll help
0:32:02 > 0:32:06to teach them to go past a bin lorry or let a bus overtake them.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10He's a very gentle boy. He's very sweet-natured.
0:32:10 > 0:32:15He's a bit of a cheeky chap. And he is so distinctive looking.
0:32:15 > 0:32:16This is funny,
0:32:16 > 0:32:19the white stripe across his head. So we call him Adam Ant.
0:32:21 > 0:32:26Today, Romulus has a surprise in store. Tim, his police handler
0:32:26 > 0:32:29for three years, has come to see his old friend again.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34It's been several months since I've seen my police horse Romulus, but
0:32:34 > 0:32:38he's out there with Titan, another one of the horses I've retired.
0:32:38 > 0:32:42A very violent event particularly sticks in Tim's mind,
0:32:42 > 0:32:45when he had to rely on Romulus to keep him safe.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49This led to one of Romulus's commendations for bravery.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52Romulus and I have been through a lot of situations together,
0:32:52 > 0:32:54some quite violent.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59One particular... it was a demonstration in Sussex
0:32:59 > 0:33:04in Brighton, where things basically deteriorated.
0:33:04 > 0:33:09Bottles and bricks were thrown at police lines, including myself
0:33:09 > 0:33:10and Romulus.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15A really brave horse, absolutely no backing off.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18And it's a privilege to have such a police horse that looks
0:33:18 > 0:33:20after you so well.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24His skin condition, which he used to have,
0:33:24 > 0:33:27seems to have cleared up, so, yeah, it's really nice to see him
0:33:27 > 0:33:30so happy, and so pleased to see me, by all accounts.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35But it can happen that a police horse might lose its nerve,
0:33:35 > 0:33:38because what's being asked of them is quite unusual.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42A horse's natural instinct is to run away from anything dangerous,
0:33:42 > 0:33:44not to run into something dangerous,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47and that takes a huge amount of trust between the horse and rider,
0:33:47 > 0:33:49a lot of training,
0:33:49 > 0:33:53and it's an incredibly sensitive partnership and that's why
0:33:53 > 0:33:57so many of the officers still come up and see their horses years after
0:33:57 > 0:33:59they have retired, because they still
0:33:59 > 0:34:01have a very strong bond with them.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04However dangerous, he's always been tremendously brave.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06I've been blessed to be able to ride him.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12With only a certain number of retirement places, there is
0:34:12 > 0:34:14a waiting list.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16And for police officer Louisa Watson, it's
0:34:16 > 0:34:19a sad day as Troy has reached the top of the queue.
0:34:23 > 0:34:28Louisa has worked very closely with Troy, an Irish draught horse, but
0:34:28 > 0:34:32sadly, at the young age of 15, he's being retired, due to arthritis.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38It's bittersweet, really, because I'm happy for him to go.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41He's very stiff behind now, he's got some hop problems,
0:34:41 > 0:34:44so it's time for him to retire. But it's always sad
0:34:44 > 0:34:47when one of the horses goes.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50I had Troy from the beginning, back in 2005.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53So, yeah, I have got an attachment to him, so I will miss him,
0:34:53 > 0:34:57but better for Troy, definitely.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02Turn around. There you go.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07Over in Buckinghamshire, Jeanette is ready for Troy's arrival.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12I first saw him last year, and he's been on our waiting list,
0:35:12 > 0:35:15so it's good for him to get going now.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21As well as showing huge bravery throughout his working life,
0:35:21 > 0:35:25Troy has also moved in some very high circles.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28I think the highlight, really, with Troy,
0:35:28 > 0:35:32was doing the first Royal Ascot, escorting Her Majesty The Queen,
0:35:32 > 0:35:36of course, and also State Visits.
0:35:36 > 0:35:42He was also involved in the Royal wedding of Charles and Camilla
0:35:42 > 0:35:46and not to forget last year, the new Royal baby.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50Troy was involved in security patrols with that, so he's had a busy
0:35:50 > 0:35:55career and received a commendation from Sussex Police back in 2012.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58Troy may have been a very dutiful horse,
0:35:58 > 0:36:01but he does have another side to his personality.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06There's lots of things I'll miss about Troy.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10Not so much his grumpiness. He's quite a greedy horse.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13Loves his food, but he loves a cup of tea
0:36:13 > 0:36:17and he likes to actually lick the mug and eat tomato ketchup
0:36:17 > 0:36:20and it's little things like that that I'll really miss about him.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37Careful. Good boy. Careful. Good lad.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40Retiring a horse that has been through physical
0:36:40 > 0:36:43and psychological hardship is more tricky than you might think.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47Some horses respond to retirement instantly
0:36:47 > 0:36:51and will just go straight out into a field and gallop about
0:36:51 > 0:36:57and obviously revel in the freedom of just being out with no rider.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00Other horses, it can take them a little bit longer to settle in
0:37:00 > 0:37:05to an environment where they're not being told what to do all the time.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08So those horses we tend to work a little bit more with
0:37:08 > 0:37:11before we let them out into the herds full-time.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21They've let his coat grow out so he's nice and woolly now and getting
0:37:21 > 0:37:24to just be a bit more natural, play around with other horses
0:37:24 > 0:37:28and run about in fields for the rest of his life.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31He needs love. He's very broken, though.
0:37:35 > 0:37:36And in a few months,
0:37:36 > 0:37:40it's hoped Troy will have settled in as well as Romulus.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42The place is a wonderful charity
0:37:42 > 0:37:46and it's basically just really the fact that I know Romulus
0:37:46 > 0:37:51now will be looked after for the rest of his time is so reassuring.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57In Newham, Animal Welfare Manager Tina has some news
0:37:57 > 0:38:01on the suspected pit bulls she seized a few days ago.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04I assessed them both and confirmed them both to be pits.
0:38:04 > 0:38:05In addition to that,
0:38:05 > 0:38:08because there was a possibility of us taking legal action,
0:38:08 > 0:38:11an independent expert was brought in to also confirm that both dogs
0:38:11 > 0:38:15are of type which means that basically they're pit bull type dogs.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18When we have an aggressive owner that has a pit ball,
0:38:18 > 0:38:20the council is not going to support an application for that dog
0:38:20 > 0:38:23to be returned because we don't feel that they're the type of people
0:38:23 > 0:38:25that should be owning a prohibited dog.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28A banned dog can be returned to its owner only if
0:38:28 > 0:38:31the court thinks it's not a danger to the public.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33But expensive rules apply.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37The dog must be insured, microchipped, tattooed,
0:38:37 > 0:38:40neutered, kept on a lead and muzzled when in public.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42Unfortunately, in this case,
0:38:42 > 0:38:45as the male owner has had a caution for aggressive behaviour,
0:38:45 > 0:38:49he and his cousin may never see their dogs again.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Let's go.
0:38:56 > 0:38:57It's a busy week for Tina
0:38:57 > 0:39:00and today she's revisiting the German shepherd dogs
0:39:00 > 0:39:02that were being neglected
0:39:02 > 0:39:05and kept in the back garden in dirty conditions.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09She was also concerned they were being used as security dogs.
0:39:10 > 0:39:15We issued him an improvement notice with seven days to comply with that,
0:39:15 > 0:39:19so we're going to make sure that they have a suitable environment
0:39:19 > 0:39:21to live in and suitable accommodation.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25If they haven't, then we'll be going to court to get a warrant
0:39:25 > 0:39:27to actually remove the dogs from the premises.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29If they have, then that's absolutely fine
0:39:29 > 0:39:31and the dogs will be able to stay there.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34You know, our other concerns about the property
0:39:34 > 0:39:36is that one of the German shepherds is alleged to bite
0:39:36 > 0:39:39and be unfriendly, so, obviously,
0:39:39 > 0:39:41because there are so many people at the premises,
0:39:41 > 0:39:45that is a concern that somebody at some point may get bitten.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10It's obvious that somebody's home so can you open the door, please?
0:40:12 > 0:40:14Here he comes.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Good morning. The London Borough of Newham Animal Welfare Service.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24We've just come to have a look at the German shepherds.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28- OK, can you handle the dog outside? - No, I can't.
0:40:28 > 0:40:34- Why can't you handle it?- I don't go near to the dogs, that's why.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38- Are you afraid of the dog?- Yeah. - Will the dog bite?
0:40:38 > 0:40:40I don't know but I never go out there.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43OK, do you have anybody else in the house that can handle that dog?
0:40:43 > 0:40:45Not right now.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47With no-one to secure the dog,
0:40:47 > 0:40:51Tina and her colleague aren't taking any chances by opening the door.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55There seems to be only one dog on the premises now.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59The garden's been totally cleaned up,
0:40:59 > 0:41:01which I'm absolutely amazed at, really.
0:41:01 > 0:41:06My remaining concern now is that the dog is used as a security dog
0:41:06 > 0:41:09and that he is people aggressive.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12So I am concerned. He's a lovely looking dog.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18DOG GROWLS
0:41:18 > 0:41:22Even if he is a bit grumpy. You a bit grumpy?
0:41:24 > 0:41:28Tina still needs a face-to-face talk with the absent owner.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31- Hello?- Through here.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33- The law changes this year.- Yeah.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36And if somebody was to come in your garden and your dog or his dog
0:41:36 > 0:41:40- was to bite them, then the dog can be seized, and he can be prosecuted.- OK.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43And obviously I'm concerned that you have a dog that's
0:41:43 > 0:41:46living in the garden that is very aggressive towards people.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48- This is my name, it's Tina Delaney. - Tina Delaney.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50- This is the telephone number to contact me on.- Yes.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53If you can ask him to give me a call, so I can come back and visit him.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55- OK.- OK?- OK, no worries.
0:41:55 > 0:42:00- Thank you very much for that. Thank you for your help.- Cheers.- Bye-bye.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02I love my job because it varies.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05It can be very, very heartbreaking, but at the same time it can be
0:42:05 > 0:42:11very, very rewarding and, you know, I absolutely love working with animals.
0:42:11 > 0:42:16I have three dogs, a parrot and three...four chickens,
0:42:16 > 0:42:18two cats, so, yeah, that's my menagerie
0:42:18 > 0:42:20so I have quite a few animals.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23And mine are all very well-behaved and trained.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26Basically I'm happy with the conditions that the dog's in.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29All we'll do now is we'll speak to the owner
0:42:29 > 0:42:32and, you know, our concerns about the dog biting somebody.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34That'll also be followed up in writing.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37What is does do is make him aware
0:42:37 > 0:42:38that if somebody does enter his garden
0:42:38 > 0:42:40and his dog does bite somebody,
0:42:40 > 0:42:42then there's a possibility he will be prosecuted for that.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45We don't actually need to return to the premises
0:42:45 > 0:42:47unless we get any complaints in the future.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52Tina will keep a close eye on the German shepherd.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55Her suspicion that it was being used as a security dog
0:42:55 > 0:42:57has never been proved.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03The fate of the two pit bulls is currently in the hands of the court.