0:00:02 > 0:00:05Nearly half of Britain owns a pet.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09It's the council and the police. Can you open the door, please?
0:00:09 > 0:00:12But man and beast don't always live together in harmony.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14I've reason to believe it is your dog
0:00:14 > 0:00:16and you've had it for a fair few years and not two weeks.
0:00:16 > 0:00:21When things go wrong, animal wardens are there to protect our pets...
0:00:22 > 0:00:24and keep their owners in check.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26I'm not having my dog taken off of me!
0:00:26 > 0:00:28I love you too.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32But for some of us, our animals are more than just pets.
0:00:32 > 0:00:33I wouldn't know what to do without him.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37They can change and even save lives.
0:00:37 > 0:00:38I owe my life to these horses.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41This is Animal Saints And Sinners.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43DOG BARKS
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Coming up...
0:00:48 > 0:00:50The animal welfare team in Newham
0:00:50 > 0:00:52tackle the growing issue of dangerous dogs.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Don't talk to me like that, please.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58- How is he a pit bull?- You cannot swear in a public place like that.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Why can't I? I'm travelling to work.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02And we meet one girl whose four-legged friend
0:01:02 > 0:01:05helped give her back her independence.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08I definitely wouldn't be at college if it wasn't for Lucy.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11I thought, "I need to do something with my life,"
0:01:11 > 0:01:13and Lucy's now made that possible,
0:01:13 > 0:01:15so I wouldn't be there if it wasn't for her.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17And one special Yorkshire terrier
0:01:17 > 0:01:20who called for help when their owner couldn't.
0:01:20 > 0:01:21I got one of his toys
0:01:21 > 0:01:24and I just started to throw it towards the machine all the time.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26That's when I thought to myself,
0:01:26 > 0:01:28"I've got a feeling he might just do it."
0:01:30 > 0:01:31Newham, East London,
0:01:31 > 0:01:35is one of the most deprived boroughs in the country.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Tina Delaney has worked with the animal welfare team for 22 years.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Her mission is to make sure everyone
0:01:41 > 0:01:44and their pets can live safely side-by-side.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50He's been assessed and he conforms to a pit bull type dog.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53In recent years, Tina has seen a huge rise
0:01:53 > 0:01:56in the number of prohibited breeds in the area.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58We do have a lot of complaints about pit bulls.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Sometimes, people do use them to intimidate people.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03You're making him anxious, cos he's been absolutely fine.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06Listen to me. Just calm down on second.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08Regularly working with the police,
0:02:08 > 0:02:10she wants to crack down on this growing problem.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Our main priority in animal welfare is to deal with the adult dogs
0:02:13 > 0:02:15as quickly and safely as possible.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24Today, Tina is out on patrol with PC Sean Pickering.
0:02:24 > 0:02:29They have a list of animal welfare complaints to investigate.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33If you go round the back of the town hall...
0:02:33 > 0:02:35But before they get to their first job,
0:02:35 > 0:02:39Tina spot a dog that she suspects is a pit bull cross.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41They stop to investigate.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45It's illegal to breed from pit bulls and if this dog is a pit bull type,
0:02:45 > 0:02:48he will have to be assessed and registered.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52Listen, I can see the Shar Pei in him. I can see the Shar Pei in there.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55- I want to make sure.- Well, go to the vet! They'll tell you.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57It's nothing to do with that.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00The thing is, if you don't let me take him nicely then what's
0:03:00 > 0:03:02going to happen is, if he is a pit bull, he won't be coming back to you.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05- He ain't a pit bull! How is he a- BLEEP- pit bull?
0:03:05 > 0:03:07- Don't talk to me like that, please. - How is he a pit bull?
0:03:07 > 0:03:10I'm saying I want to have him assessed. I can see the Shar Pei in him. I can.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13- How is he a pit bull?- And he might not conform but I want to assess him.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17- What do you mean you want to assess him? He's a- BLEEP- Shar Pei Staff.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20You cannot swear in a public place like that.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22Why can't I? I'm travelling to work.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25- Is it your dog?- Yeah. - Can I have a word with you?- Shut up!
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Right, OK. Let's go over there, then, shall we?
0:03:27 > 0:03:29Tina takes the dog's owner to one side
0:03:29 > 0:03:30to try and defuse the situation.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32I can see that your dog has Shar Pei in it.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34I'm not saying that it doesn't.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38What I want to make sure is that your dog doesn't conform to being a type, OK?
0:03:38 > 0:03:42Now, the thing is, we can either do this in a really nice way,
0:03:42 > 0:03:44- where we do it...- My dog don't like being without me.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47So, then what happens?
0:03:47 > 0:03:50OK, is your dog OK with strange people?
0:03:50 > 0:03:53So, if we go over to the car park, just me and you, and I measure him?
0:03:53 > 0:03:56When you hear stories about yous people taking people's dogs,
0:03:56 > 0:03:57- it's not nice.- Right, OK.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59That's what I'm saying to you, I'm giving you an option.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02We can go over there and I can do a preliminary assessment, or I can take him.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Well, of course. You can do the assessment, I don't mind.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Right, she needs to move. She needs to go away without shouting.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10Me and you'll go over there, then. Right, Sean, you keep her there.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Me and you are going to go over there just on our own.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18- Who is she calling?- My boyfriend. - All right, is he likely to kick off? - It's his dog as well.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21If this dog is a pit bull type he can only be made legal
0:04:21 > 0:04:24if he does not present a danger to the public.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- What's your dog's name?- Bruiser. - Bruiser. Hello, Bruiser!
0:04:27 > 0:04:29Hello, Bruiser! How old is Bruiser?
0:04:29 > 0:04:32About one and a half, I think.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34OK, and I can definitely see he's got Shar Pei in him.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37I'm not doubting that and I'm not saying that he hasn't.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39- Let's go and stand over here. - I think he is Staffy and Shar Pei.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44OK, but the thing is, there are various options if he does conform.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46If anybody else kicks off, that's not going to happen.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49- So, no matter what, you're taking my dog.- I never said that.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52We have got to do a preliminary the assessment, just me and you, while he's quiet.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54If you hold his head for me, I want him to stand up.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58I want you to hold his head. Don't let him go cos I don't want him to bite me.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- Oh, no, he won't go bite you. - So, I want him to stand up.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02I need you to hold his head away from me
0:05:02 > 0:05:05so I can measure from here to there on him.
0:05:05 > 0:05:06Oh, right, right, right.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10To work out if Bruiser is a pit bull type, Tina needs to measure him.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12Hello, Bruiser!
0:05:12 > 0:05:14Bruiser, what you doing?
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Got him? Good boy, Bruiser.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18No, you've got to stand up, Bruise. He won't bite.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20You just hold his head, hold it quite firmly.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Just sit down like this, hold him quite firmly
0:05:22 > 0:05:25so he can't turn his head towards me. I'm just going to handle him, OK?
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Good boy, Bruiser! There you go, Bruiser.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31- She's not hurting you, is she? - Let stand you up.- Good lad.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35- Good boy, Bruiser.- Oh, I'm shaking. - That's all right, don't worry.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Right, come on, Bruiser. Let's stand you up. You keep hold of him.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40- Keep hold of him. - You've got to stand up, Bruise.- OK.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44Bruiser is twitchy and is growling at Tina.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47Good boy, Bruiser. Let's stand you up. Good lad.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50There you go, look. Good boy!
0:05:50 > 0:05:52Let's stand you up, Bruiser. Good boy!
0:05:52 > 0:05:54That's all right, you hold him and I'll stand him.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Good boy, Bruiser. Good lad.
0:05:56 > 0:05:57Good boy!
0:05:59 > 0:06:01Good lad!
0:06:01 > 0:06:02Right, just hold his mouth.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05I'm going to touch the top of his head and he might not like that.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09- That's fine. - Good boy, Bruiser! Good lad!
0:06:09 > 0:06:15Good boy! You're a good lad. You are a good lad.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17- OK. So, he's your dog, is he?- Yeah.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19OK, this is what's going to happen.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21I do need to take him for a proper assessment.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26- I knew you was going to do that. - Listen to me, though. Listen, OK?
0:06:26 > 0:06:28The problem is, if anybody kicks off,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31it's going to limit any chances of him ever coming home.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34- But he ain't going to come home! - No, no, I've not said that.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Tina hasn't been able to measure Bruiser properly.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40She needs to take him away for a full assessment.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43If he's not a pit, he'll come back to you tomorrow, I promise you.
0:06:43 > 0:06:44- Is he neutered?- No.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48But what if you do find if there's traces of pit in there, then what?
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Then we'll talk to you about various options.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52It doesn't mean he's not coming home.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54He's going to try everything to get out.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57- He'll be fine. He'll be absolutely fine.- He won't, he'll try.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02When push comes to shove, the owner hands Bruiser over willingly.
0:07:03 > 0:07:04Just put him in.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07Come on!
0:07:07 > 0:07:10He won't do inside this.
0:07:10 > 0:07:11Good boy.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23OK, I'm just going to take your best contact number.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- Thank you very much.- Thank you. Thanks, mate.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Working in this area day in, day out,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Tina has come across other dogs from the same litter.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44The dad is a registered pit bull
0:07:44 > 0:07:47and I think people get a bit confused with that.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50That sometimes, litter, some dogs will conform to type
0:07:50 > 0:07:53and other dogs don't.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57Because I am Newham's expert in pit bulls,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00I did try to measure it while it was there, but she did say
0:08:00 > 0:08:03it's kind of a bit iffy and it kept turning really quickly
0:08:03 > 0:08:05and she wasn't kind of holding it,
0:08:05 > 0:08:07and I couldn't get it to stand up properly.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Often if you have two people, if you separate,
0:08:09 > 0:08:10you can calm the situation down,
0:08:10 > 0:08:12because it allows one officer to stand
0:08:12 > 0:08:16and talk to the person that's being abusive and possibly calm them down
0:08:16 > 0:08:20and the other person, you can take away and give information to.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22So, it kind of defuses the situation.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24If we'd kept both of them together,
0:08:24 > 0:08:27the likelihood of us seizing the dog in a very calm way
0:08:27 > 0:08:30would have been very, very limited, really.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Find out later what happens to Bruiser.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40In Wales, one woman's Yorkshire terrier
0:08:40 > 0:08:43raised the alarm when she needed help.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49Without Louis, I don't know how long I'd have been there.
0:08:49 > 0:08:54He's been my best friend. He's been my companion.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57He's just been the love of my life, really.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01Judith lives on her own in Wrexham.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05Now 60 years old, she suffers from arthritis and glaucoma.
0:09:05 > 0:09:11The glaucoma was actually detected about 2010.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15I was getting a lot of headaches. I couldn't stand the pain.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18I just wanted to rip my eyes just to get rid of the pain.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20And the doctor eventually sent me to the hospital
0:09:20 > 0:09:24and I saw a consultant and he said, "You're going to go blind."
0:09:24 > 0:09:27But he said, "I can't tell you when."
0:09:27 > 0:09:30To make matters, as Judith's eyesight deteriorated,
0:09:30 > 0:09:33she started to have anxiety problems.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36She was becoming unable to leave the house.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38Five years ago, Judith decided to see
0:09:38 > 0:09:40if having a pet for company would help.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45And that's when she met Louis.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49First, he come running over to me.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53I just started cuddling him. He was very friendly.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55He's been friendly ever since.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Louis was a rescue dog
0:09:58 > 0:10:01and had been badly neglected by his previous owner
0:10:01 > 0:10:03and had to have his teeth removed,
0:10:03 > 0:10:05so his tongue hangs out of his mouth.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Yes, I know it's a bit of a trial!
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Judith and Louis bonded instantly.
0:10:11 > 0:10:16I don't go anywhere without him. I wouldn't leave the house without him.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19He comes everywhere with me.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22I mean, I can take him into supermarkets,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25I can take him into hospitals, dentists, doctor's surgeries.
0:10:25 > 0:10:31When he's with me, if I'm walking, doesn't matter where it is,
0:10:31 > 0:10:34if he sees anyone coming towards me he'll bark.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41Because I can't see in the distance, so he lets me know what's coming up.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47Even with Louis, Judith has continued to have panic attacks.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50but this time, she wasn't alone.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52I just started to hyperventilate.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57He was sitting beside me, as he is now. He just come over to me.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02Just literally walked across over to me, put his head under my arm,
0:11:02 > 0:11:06and I just felt him like that and I started stroking him
0:11:06 > 0:11:09and I started to calm down.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15And I realised, he knows something's going on here
0:11:15 > 0:11:19and he's coming over to me and he knows what's going to happen.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23Although she was comforted by Louis,
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Judith's vision continued to get worse,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28leaving her unsteady on her feet.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33She decided to have an emergency panic alarm system fitted.
0:11:33 > 0:11:39I had the machine installed because, you know, if I had a fall,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42I know that I'd have to have some sort of help.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44And this is the machine, here.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49It's just a plain white box with the lights and that.
0:11:49 > 0:11:56As soon as I hit the button, the care corps people speak through it,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59they come through it and they ask me if I'm all right
0:11:59 > 0:12:01and do I need any help.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03And that's how it works.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07But Judith still had concerns.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09If you've got a machine that's there to help you
0:12:09 > 0:12:14and you can't get to it, you know, then it is worrying.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16It's very worrying.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18Especially if when you live by yourself
0:12:18 > 0:12:21and there's no-one around to help you.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Judith noticed that Louis had taken
0:12:23 > 0:12:26a particular interest in the machine.
0:12:26 > 0:12:27She decided to see if she could train him
0:12:27 > 0:12:30to press the button in an emergency.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34When I had that last panic attack and he managed to get me out of it,
0:12:34 > 0:12:39I was just thinking, my eyes kept going to the machine all the time.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Then I kept looking at the machine and looking at him
0:12:41 > 0:12:44and thought, "I wonder... I just wonder."
0:12:44 > 0:12:47So then I started to play with him.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49And I got one of his toys
0:12:49 > 0:12:52and I just started to throw it towards the machine all the time.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Nearer, and nearer, and nearer, and nearer
0:12:55 > 0:12:56and I was going towards it with him.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01And that's when I thought to myself,
0:13:01 > 0:13:03"I've got a feeling he might just do it."
0:13:03 > 0:13:06It wasn't long before Louie's training
0:13:06 > 0:13:08was put to the test, when Judith fell badly
0:13:08 > 0:13:11as she was stepping out of the shower one morning.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15Just a stupid thing, but my foot just went straight under the mat.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20I went down and I landed halfway in the hallway and in the living room.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23MACHINE BEEPS
0:13:23 > 0:13:26'Good morning, Mrs Shaw. You are through to Sarah. How can I help?'
0:13:26 > 0:13:29'I've had a bit of a fall, Sarah.'
0:13:29 > 0:13:31'Are you on the floor?'
0:13:31 > 0:13:35And I said, "My leg is twisted up my back and I can't move it."
0:13:35 > 0:13:39Well, she said, "How did you get to the machine to press the button?"
0:13:39 > 0:13:41I said, "I haven't. I haven't been able to reach it."
0:13:41 > 0:13:44Then she said, "Well, who's pressed it?"
0:13:44 > 0:13:46I said, "It must have been Louie."
0:13:46 > 0:13:48CALL: 'I've been training him to hit the button.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52'And I didn't think he'd done it. He went straight to it.'
0:13:52 > 0:13:55'Oh, isn't that marvellous?'
0:13:55 > 0:13:57CRYING: 'I don't know what I'd do without him.'
0:13:57 > 0:14:00'Aw, bless. Don't get upset.'
0:14:00 > 0:14:02DOG BARKS
0:14:02 > 0:14:05'It's all right.'
0:14:05 > 0:14:09Louie's actions that day earned him an award from the PDSA.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15I was proud. Very proud of him.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks,
0:14:17 > 0:14:21but you certainly can, because, you know, he's an old dog
0:14:21 > 0:14:24and he learnt a new trick and that was it. He did it.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27You know, he pressed the button.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29If it hadn't have been for him...
0:14:29 > 0:14:34He came into my life and, you know, I've never looked back.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36He's ruled me, but I've never looked back.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38And I can't be without him.
0:14:46 > 0:14:47South Holland, Lincolnshire.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51In the fenlands of the East of England is a rural area
0:14:51 > 0:14:53made up of farmland and rivers.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56Rachel Thompson is the council's dog warden.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59It can be highly emotional.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03I mean, you're dealing with people as well as animals.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06I get through a lot of tissues, shall we say.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09I never stop crying some days.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14Rachel's time is divided between tracking down problem dogs...
0:15:14 > 0:15:17You haven't seen a white Staffordshire bull terrier still running around?
0:15:17 > 0:15:20We've had reports in the past, but I don't know if it's been resolved.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- It's catching them when they're out, that's the trouble.- Mornings.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27..and looking out for abandoned animals in need.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30You need some TLC, don't you? Hey?
0:15:30 > 0:15:32You need some TLC?
0:15:32 > 0:15:35In this day and age, there are more dogs than rescue spaces,
0:15:35 > 0:15:37so it's a bit of a juggling act.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42It's 9am and she's starting the day
0:15:42 > 0:15:45chasing up messages left after hours.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Well, we've just got to phone up a lady that's lost her dog,
0:15:48 > 0:15:51because, obviously, she has a disabled son,
0:15:51 > 0:15:55so won't be able to get out there and find him on her own, possibly.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58So we need to get some sightings and see when she last saw the dog
0:15:58 > 0:16:01and see if we can work on that and help her find him.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05Little Axel needs to return home, because her son is missing him.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08So we will just phone her and see what's happening.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12Axel, the family's Jack Russell, went missing yesterday morning.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Rachel wants to help the family find him,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17as their disabled son is becoming upset.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Hello, there, it's Rachel, the dog warden,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22just returning a call regarding Axel?
0:16:22 > 0:16:25Hello, there. I just wanted to get an update on what's happening,
0:16:25 > 0:16:27if you've had any sightings or...
0:16:27 > 0:16:32CRYING WOMAN REPLIES
0:16:32 > 0:16:36Oh. OK. Whereabouts are you? I'll come to you.
0:16:38 > 0:16:39I'll see if we can help you.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41- WOMAN SOBS - 'Sorry...'
0:16:41 > 0:16:42(Dead.)
0:16:42 > 0:16:46'They just found him, I'll be there shortly...'
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Right, well, I'll head down now. I'm in the office.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52I'll come now and see what we can do to help you. OK, then.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- I'll be with you soon. - 'Thanks very much.'- Thank you, bye.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59Unfortunately, Axel's dead. He's been found,
0:16:59 > 0:17:02he's in a river she can't get to him, so we need to get down there
0:17:02 > 0:17:05and see if we can help her get the dog out of the river.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Poor woman is very distressed, so we'll just get down there.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10See what we can do.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13Obviously, I'm quite an emotional person.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15I think you have to be to do this job.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17If anybody is crying, it upsets me as well.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26The farmland of The Fens is a reclaimed flood plain.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Man-made ditches run along the edge of the fields,
0:17:28 > 0:17:31so excess water can drain away.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34We've got a lot of rivers and dykes and very deep drains,
0:17:34 > 0:17:38so it's the nature of the area.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Rachel wants to help retrieve the dog,
0:17:40 > 0:17:43so they can bury him as a family.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Such a tragic story.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48And obviously, to top it all, it's her son's dog.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51So very upsetting.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00These sort of situations are always the hardest,
0:18:00 > 0:18:03because these people obviously love this dog
0:18:03 > 0:18:08and it's going to be extremely hard for them to deal with his loss,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11never mind the situation of his death, as well.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30SHE KNOCKS ON THE DOOR
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Hi, Paula? Hi, ever so sorry.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39- SOBBING:- Sorry.- No, it's all right.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43I have a Jack Russell. I can't understand how you must feel.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47- I'm just going to get my partner up to be with the baby and I'll take you to him.- OK.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49It's an awful thing to find, isn't it?
0:18:49 > 0:18:53Your dog in the river. And then not being able to get them out.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06Thank you. You know, because I...
0:19:06 > 0:19:09Normally when you get dogs in the water,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12it's because they're used to going in there swimming.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14No, he's never been into water.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17He's always hid away from water.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21He has been very ill, so I don't know if...
0:19:21 > 0:19:23He's disorientated.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25- Yeah. How old was he?- 13.- 13.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28So he could have easily got disorientated then, couldn't he?
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- He is my disabled son's best friend. - Oh, gosh.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39- Where is your son at the moment? - He's at school.- Oh, dear.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43He 's gone all the way down there, and he's between that bush
0:19:43 > 0:19:45- and that bush, in the river. - Between that bush and that bush?
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Yeah. Down there.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51My 12-year-old's going to find it harder, I think.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56He's literally born the same month, a year later.
0:19:56 > 0:20:01- So he's always had puppy dog. - Yeah.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- He doesn't know anything else, does he?- No. No.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08- And terriers are very spirited little dogs.- Yeah.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11He's never bitten anybody in his old age.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14He's had my disabled child climbing all over him.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16He's just let them, took it...
0:20:16 > 0:20:18SHE CRIES
0:20:20 > 0:20:22I know, I can't imagine how you're feeling.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25They did well to find him.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27You should never blame yourself.
0:20:29 > 0:20:30Things, unfortunately...
0:20:30 > 0:20:32Horrible things sometimes happen, don't they?
0:20:32 > 0:20:34It's out of our control.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41Just after this lump of mud. Up here.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- He hasn't been himself. He really hasn't.- No.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49- You notice, don't you?- Yeah.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Come on, puppy dog. Where are you?
0:20:58 > 0:21:02- There he is. Oh!- Oh, my gosh.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Right. I'll just have a look what gear I'm going to need.
0:21:25 > 0:21:30Right. What I'll do is I'll get something to help with removal.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- You don't have to be here when I do this.- I want to be here.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49He was my puppy. I've got to be the first one to hold him.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51- Are you sure?- Yeah.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- I'll just nip back now and get the stuff.- OK.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- Let me get him a towel to wrap him up in.- Yeah.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04Rachel has the equipment that will help them get Axel back.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12How long has the dog been missing?
0:22:12 > 0:22:16He went missing yesterday morning at around about 11 o'clock.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21We went to search the whole village.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24We've had most of the neighbours out looking for him,
0:22:24 > 0:22:26shouting in fields.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29And this morning we found him in a ditch.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32Heartbreaking for me, but it's going to be worse for the kids.
0:22:47 > 0:22:52One of the hazards of the Fenlands are the deep ditches and drains,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55which have caught out many animals over the years.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03OK. Right...
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Won't be long there, Axel.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12I'll just leave them there cos hopefully I won't need them.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24We'll give it a whirl. Erm...
0:23:24 > 0:23:27I think we need to extend this pole a little bit more.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32The idea is to hook it round his body...
0:23:32 > 0:23:35and then pull the loop...
0:23:35 > 0:23:39so that we can close it and pull him out this horrible drain.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42You can only see part of his body...
0:23:42 > 0:23:43and obviously there's reed beds in there.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47So it's a case of...
0:23:47 > 0:23:50getting him and not half the river bed - drain.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02He's out.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08I don't want her to see him like this.
0:24:13 > 0:24:14There he is.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21SHE SOBS
0:24:23 > 0:24:25Here you go.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27Careful, baby. You're all right.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Let's take you home.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33- Good boy. - SHE SOBS
0:24:33 > 0:24:35You're all right.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40Good boy.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43- Come on, let's get you home. - So sorry, Axel.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47Let's get you home.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Do you want any help with him? You manage him?
0:24:50 > 0:24:52I can manage him, thank you.
0:24:52 > 0:24:53I'll just get my lasso.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Come on, baby.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09An absolutely horrible thing...
0:25:09 > 0:25:12anybody to find, never mind when you own the dog.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18The only good news - at least she did find him and...
0:25:18 > 0:25:19she's got that closure.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23It would be always worse - the not knowing.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31- I hope everything goes OK with the family later anyway.- So do I.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35Fingers crossed your boys are...understand.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37They will. They'll be fine.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39But thank you so much.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43- Take care anyway, won't you? - Thank you.- Bye.- Bye.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52It's...an awful thing for anyone to deal with,
0:25:52 > 0:25:55but when you've got young kids in the household, it's...
0:25:55 > 0:25:59It's even harder to explain to them, suddenly, why their dog is dead.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05Hopefully the children will get some understanding of what's
0:26:05 > 0:26:07happened rather than if he never come back.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09At least they understand that, you know,
0:26:09 > 0:26:13he's passed away and he'll have a nice place in the garden, hopefully,
0:26:13 > 0:26:17that they can visit if they're feeling down and...
0:26:17 > 0:26:19That will feel better for them as well.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33In Somerset,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36one woman has got her confidence back with the help of her
0:26:36 > 0:26:37Labrador Lucy.
0:26:40 > 0:26:45I never thought it was possible for a dog to have such a massive
0:26:45 > 0:26:48impact on every part of my life, but she has.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52She's just completely opened everything up and, yeah,
0:26:52 > 0:26:54I would never swap her. She's amazing.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Annie grew up in Weston-super-Mare.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00She was a normal, happy, bright teenager
0:27:00 > 0:27:03and was planning to be the first person
0:27:03 > 0:27:05in her family to gp to university.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07She was 16 when her symptoms started.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13One morning, I literally woke up and my foot was just in agony
0:27:13 > 0:27:16and I couldn't put it to the floor.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20Over time, my leg started turning in at a different angle and...
0:27:20 > 0:27:22I found it difficult to walk.
0:27:22 > 0:27:27Within about six months of my foot being bad and me being in crutches,
0:27:27 > 0:27:31my other leg started being a problem as well.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35And then, literally, it was probably years later that my hands
0:27:35 > 0:27:37started becoming a bit of an issue.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40So it was... It was a very gradual process. It wasn't quick.
0:27:43 > 0:27:48At the age of 17, Annie was diagnosed with dystonia,
0:27:48 > 0:27:51a rare neurological disorder that affects her mobility.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55She lost the use of her legs and arms and had to be hospitalised.
0:27:55 > 0:27:59Whilst I was in hospital and in the time around that time,
0:27:59 > 0:28:03my friends were kind of finishing college or sixth form
0:28:03 > 0:28:05and they'd got their A-levels.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09They were going to university, one went abroad,
0:28:09 > 0:28:14one went to Oxford, and they were kind of starting a new life,
0:28:14 > 0:28:17driving cars, and you did feel a little bit left behind at the time.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21It was quite a contrast,
0:28:21 > 0:28:24looking at what your life would have been like had this not have happened.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29Annie had planned to take her A-levels and go to university.
0:28:29 > 0:28:34Instead, she was facing life at home with full-time care.
0:28:34 > 0:28:39I came a period in hospital where afterwards I needed a lot of care.
0:28:39 > 0:28:44And, originally, I had about 90, late 90 hours a week,
0:28:44 > 0:28:48so basically from the minute I got up to the minute I went to bed,
0:28:48 > 0:28:49I had a carer here with me.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56Trudy has been caring for Annie since 2009.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59- Hello. You all right?- Yeah.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02'When we first started caring for Annie, we did everything for her -
0:29:02 > 0:29:05'personal care, helping with food, medication -'
0:29:05 > 0:29:07so it was quite a test in the beginning
0:29:07 > 0:29:11and with the amount of hours that we had, being with her all the time.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13It was... It was a bit of a test and, you know,
0:29:13 > 0:29:16we all had to get used to each other, but we got there.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22It was difficult to get used to having carers with me...
0:29:22 > 0:29:25because I'd always been quite independent.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28- Do you want the white folders?- Yeah.
0:29:28 > 0:29:33Annie had months of physiotherapy and regained the use of her hands,
0:29:33 > 0:29:34but Trudy realised the illness
0:29:34 > 0:29:37had affected more than just her mobility.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40It was Annie's confidence, really, in the beginning,
0:29:40 > 0:29:42that was more of an issue, I think.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46I mean, she had come to terms with her disability and, you know,
0:29:46 > 0:29:49we were very au fait with what she needed and what she wanted.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52But confidence-wise, there wasn't a great deal more that we could
0:29:52 > 0:29:55do for her than what we were.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57So it was kind of trying to figure out what would work
0:29:57 > 0:29:59and what would build her confidence apart from us.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03'I found it quite awkward sometimes, going out on my own.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07'I didn't really go much further than the local shop
0:30:07 > 0:30:09'and I didn't feel very confident.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12'I didn't like it when people came up to speak to me.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14'I didn't really know what to say to them.'
0:30:14 > 0:30:16And, yeah, I just had no confidence at all.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21Two years ago, Annie and Trudy decided it was time to tackle
0:30:21 > 0:30:23Annie's loss of confidence head-on.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26Me and Trudy went up to an information day
0:30:26 > 0:30:28with Dogs for the Disabled.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32They invited us and they basically discussed what the dogs were,
0:30:32 > 0:30:34what they could do...for people.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36Can you pull?
0:30:37 > 0:30:40Pull. Pull.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42Thank you. Good man.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45The charity trains dogs to help people living with disabilities.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48The idea is that, through practical assistance,
0:30:48 > 0:30:51a dog can offer freedom and independence for their owner.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54Within about five minute of the talk, I was like,
0:30:54 > 0:30:56"This just sounds perfect."
0:30:56 > 0:31:00I kept looking at Trudy and we were both feeling the same thing, I think.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03So, yeah, it was...exciting.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Turn.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09Beautiful turn. Good boy. Very good.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Each dog is trained for two years to make sure
0:31:11 > 0:31:15they have the right skills and temperament.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19It's about the actual dogs giving a quality of life
0:31:19 > 0:31:21boost to people.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24Not completely life-changing - it can be -
0:31:24 > 0:31:30but it's more about dogs providing physical assistance in many ways.
0:31:30 > 0:31:35But also giving the opportunity to develop people's life skills,
0:31:35 > 0:31:39act as a bridge back into their community because dogs in this
0:31:39 > 0:31:42country in particular are great conversational pieces,
0:31:42 > 0:31:47and help people in actually finding their true potential, really.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52Sit. Good boy. Come along.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54Beautiful Barney.
0:31:54 > 0:31:59I went for an interview and on the day they had several dogs there,
0:31:59 > 0:32:02and one of them was a black Labrador called Lucy.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05It was just something about her.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07She had almost like a cheeky look on her face
0:32:07 > 0:32:11and I kind of fell in love with her straight away, I think.
0:32:11 > 0:32:12Yes, thank you.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14Two months after their first meeting,
0:32:14 > 0:32:16Lucy came to live with Annie.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20Lucy does loads round the house. She empties washing machines,
0:32:20 > 0:32:23she helps with tidying up when there's things on the floor.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26Lucy, fetch the post. Fetch the post.
0:32:27 > 0:32:32I've had her two years now and we're still coming up with new things,
0:32:32 > 0:32:35so it's not that what she does now is all she'll be able to do.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38We're always finding other things that she does
0:32:38 > 0:32:41and I think all that's actually quite helpful -
0:32:41 > 0:32:45we'll work on that - and she's learning new things all the time.
0:32:45 > 0:32:46Lucy, pull.
0:32:46 > 0:32:51Little by little, Lucy was helping Annie to get her independence back.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53Good girl.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56I have a lot less care hours now.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58The big difference with having Lucy now is going to
0:32:58 > 0:33:00bed on my own at night.
0:33:00 > 0:33:05Now the carers just come in to get me ready and then Lucy can,
0:33:05 > 0:33:07because she's here,
0:33:07 > 0:33:10she'll take off socks and things and shoes before I get into bed.
0:33:13 > 0:33:18So that's like the biggest impact in terms of now I can choose
0:33:18 > 0:33:21when I want to go to bed rather than it being at a set time.
0:33:23 > 0:33:24When I first met Annie,
0:33:24 > 0:33:28she had aspirations of going back to college and to university,
0:33:28 > 0:33:31but unfortunately, at that point, it just didn't happen.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33So when Lucy came along,
0:33:33 > 0:33:36knowing the aspirations that she had at the time,
0:33:36 > 0:33:38that was it, really.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40She was set on it, she knew she wanted to go to college.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43And then, with Lucy being there, it was perfect, really.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46- All ready?- Yeah.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48- Strapped in?- Yeah.
0:33:48 > 0:33:52One year after Annie met Lucy, she was viewing her life in a new way.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55I've gone back to college to do some more A-levels
0:33:55 > 0:33:59and Lucy comes to college with me every day.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03And we're looking into getting to go to university to do a biology,
0:34:03 > 0:34:08and eventually a PGCE and becoming a teacher.
0:34:08 > 0:34:09Lie down.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13Good girl.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17Lucy loves college. She's very well-known around the campus.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19Everybody knows who Lucy is.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21They forget my name, but they remember the dog.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25Fetch.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28Good girl. Thank you.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31'I definitely wouldn't be at college if it weren't for Lucy,
0:34:31 > 0:34:36'because it didn't even enter my mind to go back until I had had Lucy
0:34:36 > 0:34:37'for about a year.'
0:34:37 > 0:34:39Because of feeling confident, I thought,
0:34:39 > 0:34:41"I need to do something with my life."
0:34:41 > 0:34:43Lucy's now made that possible,
0:34:43 > 0:34:45so I wouldn't be there if it wasn't for her.
0:34:47 > 0:34:48She's like a different person.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52It's amazing to see how a dog can make such a difference to
0:34:52 > 0:34:55somebody's life when she went through all the rehabilitation,
0:34:55 > 0:34:57the physio that we done,
0:34:57 > 0:35:00but that confidence that she built after having Lucy was just
0:35:00 > 0:35:04phenomenal. And, you know, they're an asset to each other.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10Ever since the diagnosis and the not being well,
0:35:10 > 0:35:13it kind of felt like everything was on pause and kind of all my friends,
0:35:13 > 0:35:15because of all what they were doing,
0:35:15 > 0:35:17I just felt like my life was on hold.
0:35:17 > 0:35:22And I think Lucy's kind of pressed play again and made it carry on.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34Back in Newham, animal welfare manager Tina Delaney has
0:35:34 > 0:35:37picked up a suspected pit bull type in the street.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40The thing is, if you don't let me take him nicely,
0:35:40 > 0:35:42then what's going to happen is, if he is a pit bull,
0:35:42 > 0:35:44he won't be coming back to you.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50She's taking him to a secret location to be assessed.
0:35:50 > 0:35:51I'm going to get Bruiser out.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54Obviously Bruiser's a little bit nervous. He's...
0:35:54 > 0:35:57a little bit anxious, so he's displaying nervous aggression.
0:35:57 > 0:35:58So it's just... DOG GROWLS
0:35:58 > 0:36:02As you can hear. So it's just a case of just being gentle with him,
0:36:02 > 0:36:04really, and taking a bit of time. He's panting.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08She said at the time that's not used to being handled by other people
0:36:08 > 0:36:12and he hardly goes out, so he's worried. It's a new situation.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16Pit bulls were originally bred for fighting
0:36:16 > 0:36:18and can often be aggressive.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20There's always a risk of being bitten.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22If you went in there and you were really firm and fast with him,
0:36:22 > 0:36:25then you probably are going to get bitten, because he's nervous.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27If you're kind of gentle with him,
0:36:27 > 0:36:29then hopefully he'll be absolutely fine.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33Hello...Bruiser. DOG GROWLS
0:36:33 > 0:36:34Hello, Bruiser.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36You're a silly boy, aren't you?
0:36:36 > 0:36:39You a silly boy, Bruiser? DOG GROWLS
0:36:39 > 0:36:42Oh, Bruiser. Good boy, Bruiser. DOG GROWLS
0:36:42 > 0:36:44Here's a good boy.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47Bruiser, good boy?
0:36:47 > 0:36:51You're a silly boy, eh?
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Do you want to come out? DOG GROWLS
0:36:53 > 0:36:55Bruiser?
0:36:57 > 0:36:58Do you want to come out with me, Bruiser?
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Do you want to come out with me, Bruise?
0:37:06 > 0:37:08You're a good boy. Are you ready?
0:37:08 > 0:37:11Are you ready?
0:37:11 > 0:37:13He's a good lad.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15Good boy, Bruiser. Look, it's all right. It's just the lead.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19Often their problems occur because the owners haven't trained dogs,
0:37:19 > 0:37:22haven't taken the time to train the dogs, or have trained the dogs
0:37:22 > 0:37:25in a way that isn't acceptable.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27You know, they've trained them
0:37:27 > 0:37:29to be aggressive or they've trained them to guard them.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33My biggest problem is that the dogs are often the victims
0:37:33 > 0:37:37because the dogs are behaving in a way that pleases their owner often,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40or they've not been trained, so it's very difficult.
0:37:40 > 0:37:41He's just a bit anxious
0:37:41 > 0:37:43and I'm just sort of trying to take my time with him.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Just going to his lead out with this.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47Good boy, Bruiser. Good boy.
0:37:47 > 0:37:48There you go. Good lad.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55Good boy. There you go.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58He's a good lad.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Gonna come out, Bruise?
0:38:02 > 0:38:04He's a good boy, aren't you?
0:38:04 > 0:38:06Come on, then. Come on. Come on, Bruiser. Come on.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12Come out. Come on.
0:38:18 > 0:38:19Good boy, Bruiser.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22Good boy. There you go. He's a good lad.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28Good boy. Good boy.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30Come on, then. Come on, Bruise.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33Good boy.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35That's better, isn't it? Good lad.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Come on, Bruiser.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43Good boy. Bruiser, come on.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Come on. Good lad.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47Good boy. Come on.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52Come on, Bruiser. Bruiser.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56Despite Tina's reassurance, when he hears the other dogs barking,
0:38:56 > 0:38:57Bruiser freezes.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01He's a bit nervous. He's a good boy. DOGS BARKING
0:39:01 > 0:39:05You're a good boy. He's a grumpy man, aren't you?
0:39:05 > 0:39:07You grumpy? Are you grumpy?
0:39:10 > 0:39:12Good boy, Bruiser.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15Come on. Come on.
0:39:15 > 0:39:16Bruiser.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19Can you give me some Schmackos?
0:39:19 > 0:39:21Pardon?
0:39:21 > 0:39:25Go on, then. DOGS BARKING
0:39:25 > 0:39:27Come on.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29It's all right. It's all right. Don't be silly.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31It's all right, Bruiser.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35With the temptation of a dog treat,
0:39:35 > 0:39:39Tina finally manages to persuade Bruiser into the kennels.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43I'm just going to scan him to see if he's got a microchip.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45It's all right. Look.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47BEEPS
0:39:50 > 0:39:52Good boy.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54He hasn't got a microchip in him.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56So really she hasn't been a responsible owner at all.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59She's not microchipped him, she's not kept her vaccinations up-to-date,
0:39:59 > 0:40:00and she hasn't castrated him.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03And, more importantly, she hasn't socialised him.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05His aggression is through being really nervous.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07And like she said at the time, he hardly ever goes out.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10If you don't take a dog out in public places,
0:40:10 > 0:40:13it becomes nervous of near enough everything.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15And, you know, it will then display nervous aggression,
0:40:15 > 0:40:17just like Bruiser does.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22- Yeah, where's he going? - He's going next to Alfie.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25- He's not OK with other dogs. - He's not OK with other dogs?
0:40:25 > 0:40:27DOGS BARK
0:40:29 > 0:40:33She knows that she has a dog that will potentially bite
0:40:33 > 0:40:36and yet she's walking it in a public place off a muzzle.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38Bruiser.
0:40:38 > 0:40:42If somebody frightens her dog, or walks past her,
0:40:42 > 0:40:44or walks a bit too close to the dog,
0:40:44 > 0:40:46and that dog turns round and bites somebody,
0:40:46 > 0:40:48then she's responsible for that.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Because if your dog bites somebody in a public place
0:40:51 > 0:40:53and you know that your dog was a biter,
0:40:53 > 0:40:57then your dog is likely to be seized and you are likely to be prosecuted.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00Good boy. There you go. Good lad.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03DOG BARKS
0:41:03 > 0:41:05He's not very happy.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09Good boy. There you go. Come on. Good boy.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12If Bruiser is found to be a pit bull type,
0:41:12 > 0:41:15his owner would have to agree to the strict conditions,
0:41:15 > 0:41:19otherwise he'll be destroyed as it's not possible to re-home banned dogs.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24If he was my dog, regardless of his breed,
0:41:24 > 0:41:26I would be walking him on a muzzle just in case.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34There aren't many dogs that we wouldn't go into the cage with,
0:41:34 > 0:41:37but with Bruiser you would have to take a lot of time and spend a
0:41:37 > 0:41:40lot of time with him before you would be able to go in there with him
0:41:40 > 0:41:42because he's not of sound temperament and would bite you.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45If I just opened the cage now and went to walk in there with me,
0:41:45 > 0:41:49he would bite me. So it's about spending some time with him.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52He is very food orientated and using that as an advantage.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04DOG BARKS
0:42:04 > 0:42:07'My biggest problem is, the dogs are often the victims...
0:42:12 > 0:42:16'because the dogs are behaving in a way that pleases their owner often,
0:42:16 > 0:42:19'or they've not been trained, so it's very difficult.'
0:42:30 > 0:42:34In Lincolnshire, Axel is buried in the garden
0:42:34 > 0:42:36and the family visit him each day.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38Although he hasn't been forgotten,
0:42:38 > 0:42:41the family now have a new rescue dog.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44Annie has finished the first year of her A-levels
0:42:44 > 0:42:49and is looking into which university she and Lucy will go to next year.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51After a full assessment,
0:42:51 > 0:42:54it was confirmed that Bruiser was a pit bull type.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57A court decided that, due to his aggressive temperament,
0:42:57 > 0:42:59he had to be put down.