0:00:02 > 0:00:05- Good boy. NARRATOR:- Nearly half of Britain owns a pet.- Nice one, mate.
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 have 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 > 0:00:26Look, I'll take him to my mate's.
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 > 0:00:36They can change and even save lives.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38I owe my life to these horses.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41This is Animal Saints and Sinners.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49Coming up, meet the dog control officers in Salford who
0:00:49 > 0:00:53- run into a suspected pit bull. - I don't like the look of this one.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55This one. Look at his face. See his head.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59And deal with a dog who's been taken in by a couple who can't look after it.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02I can't keep her, to be honest.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05And we meet two family pets who have completely changed
0:01:05 > 0:01:06the lives of their owners.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10I think it's the best thing we've ever done. She is a little angel.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12She's just fabulous.
0:01:12 > 0:01:17Me and my dad can go out with Rooty and we know that we can be safe.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Rather than just us two relying on each other.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27In Salford, in Greater Manchester, dog control officers Will Harris
0:01:27 > 0:01:30and Erica Eaton are in the middle of a busy shift.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35- This is why we come to the park. - Maggie, come.- To meet these people.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39- And these doggies.- I've got one here. Got one for you.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41This is a special one for Maggie. Yes. There we go.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46The dog control officers are responsible for dangerous dogs.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Will, be careful.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51- Strays.- Is that your dog?
0:01:51 > 0:01:53And complaints about nuisance dogs.
0:01:54 > 0:01:59Letting it out to foul on the green area just outside the property.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Any animal they seize are taken back to the council's kennels to
0:02:02 > 0:02:05be reunited with their owners or rehomed.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Come on, mate. Do you know him? Where does he live?
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Who's a gorgeous boy?
0:02:13 > 0:02:16In the kennels today, they're looking after a stray puppy.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19A Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross which was found yesterday near
0:02:19 > 0:02:21a canal in Monton.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24No wee-wees. No wee-wees, please. No wee-wees.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28He's a handsome boy. He is a handsome boy. Yes, you are.
0:02:28 > 0:02:29Ooh, I'm tempted.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32OK. You'll be all right.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35After a night in the kennels, the puppy's owner hasn't come forward
0:02:35 > 0:02:39so Will and Erica have to take him to a local cat and dog home.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45He's only about 12 weeks old. He's not old old.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48Strays stay here for seven days and then get put up for adoption
0:02:48 > 0:02:50if nobody claims them.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52- Any more?- Not today.- That's it.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56Puppy dealt with, the team are on to their next job, a roaming stray.
0:02:56 > 0:03:01We've got to go and pick a dog up from the M6 area of Salford.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Apparently it followed the guy home from Buile Hill Park this morning,
0:03:05 > 0:03:07so he's confined it in his garden.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09We're going to go and pick it up now.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15With little information to go on,
0:03:15 > 0:03:17the wardens have to be prepared for anything.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22They have no idea if the stray dog is dangerous to the public.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26Hiya. It's Erica from the dog warden service.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28- I believe you found a dog. - Yeah. I'll just let him out.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31- He's down over the back fence. - All right. Thank you.
0:03:31 > 0:03:32- I won't be a minute.- Thanks.
0:03:32 > 0:03:38Went to the local park with, um, my dog. And...it just followed me.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42But mine's a six-month-old bitch, so I think she's coming into season
0:03:42 > 0:03:43and it's followed me home.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47- Is he all right? Yeah. - He's a bit nervous.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50He's going to go over that fence.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52Has he gone?
0:04:02 > 0:04:04Oh, what's to do? Come on.
0:04:04 > 0:04:05SHE WHISTLES
0:04:06 > 0:04:09The dog is a white Staffordshire Bull Terrier
0:04:09 > 0:04:11and he's made a run for it.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13Although staffies aren't considered to be a dangerous breed,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16the wardens need to do their best to catch him now.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20If they don't, the chances of reuniting it with its owner
0:04:20 > 0:04:21are very slim.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27While Erica sticks to the main road, Will takes the backstreets.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Don't really want to chase him because that road is quite busy.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43Excuse me. Is that your dog? No?
0:04:43 > 0:04:46We've got two for the price of one.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48DOG BARKS
0:04:51 > 0:04:55After a tussle with another dog, the white staffy disappears,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58but Erica has now got more than she bargained for.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Hello. Hello.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Well, not the one we set out for, but we've got another one.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11You're giddy. Hello. Where have you come from?
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Yeah. Hello. Hello. You're friendly.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22- Not two for the price of one? - Lost the other one.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25I came up this way in case you doubled back.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Have we got another one? Whoa. Hello.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30They've just had a bit of a set-to down there,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- so it's not wise to take him down. - No.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35- I don't like the look of this one. - Which one?- This one.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Look at his face. See his head.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42- Could be a pit type.- Good. Believe this dog could be what they call of type.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45- Type.- He's got a head of a pit bull terrier.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Which obviously we need to deal with straight away.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50We'll see if he's chipped.
0:05:50 > 0:05:51I can't find a chip at the minute,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54but it looks like he's got a cut to his tail.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57Come here, mate. Good lad.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00- Look at the size of his...- Good boy.
0:06:00 > 0:06:01Will, be careful.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05- Good boy.- Look at the size of his head. Quite a big head.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08You can always tell by the jaw. I mean, he's not a bad dog.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- He's lovely.- They're not all bad dogs.- He's a good boy.
0:06:11 > 0:06:17But obviously, um, with recent events...very cautious of, um...
0:06:17 > 0:06:20..what we pick up on what we do with him next. Good boy.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Yeah. Good boy.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26- Walk him back?- Yeah. We'll walk him back.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Because the stray looks like a pit bull, they must report it to the police
0:06:29 > 0:06:33and abandon finding the white staffy for now.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34Come here, mate.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38With 17 people being killed in dog attacks in the past nine years,
0:06:38 > 0:06:42and three children dying in the last half of 2013,
0:06:42 > 0:06:46if this dog's owner isn't willing to come forward and it's a pit bull,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49it's in danger of being put down.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Knowing this, Will's checking with passers-by to see
0:06:53 > 0:06:55if anyone recognises the dog.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58And he's found someone who thinks he does.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02What he's going to do is he's going to go around to his friend's house
0:07:02 > 0:07:05and see if it's his dog, and then contact us
0:07:05 > 0:07:08and then we'll take everything from there.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11I cry. At least once a week. Yeah.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15I do get emotionally attached to the dogs and I know I shouldn't, but you
0:07:15 > 0:07:20can't help it when they're giving you them eyes, can you, really? Well, I can't.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24Seeing animals being put down is part of the dog warden's job,
0:07:24 > 0:07:29but Erica has strong feelings about how banned breeds should be treated.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33I wouldn't like to see any dog put to sleep
0:07:33 > 0:07:36unless it was in the dog's best interest.
0:07:36 > 0:07:42We've had situations where we've had old dogs that are on their last legs
0:07:42 > 0:07:45and we've had to sign them over to be put to sleep,
0:07:45 > 0:07:46and that's heartbreaking.
0:07:46 > 0:07:53But to see a young, lively dog, happy and friendly be put to sleep,
0:07:53 > 0:07:55it's hard.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Hard to take as a dog lover.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01I don't think he's a fighting dog, but he looks what we call of type.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04Um...we don't know. Until we can see...find the owner
0:08:04 > 0:08:07and get the paperwork from the owner from the breeder,
0:08:07 > 0:08:10that will determine, you know, yes or no.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Find out later what happens
0:08:13 > 0:08:16when the suspected pit bull is assessed by the police.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Anyone comes in between now and then,
0:08:19 > 0:08:22they can identify if the dog is theirs, but they can't have it back.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25DOG BARKS
0:08:29 > 0:08:33In Manchester, one animal who has helped one young boy is Jessi.
0:08:35 > 0:08:40Before we got Jess, we had absolutely no idea that this cat would
0:08:40 > 0:08:44have such a massive impact on all our lives.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Birman cat Jessi is the Dillon family's pet.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54When Jessi arrived in 2010, they were struggling to cope with
0:08:54 > 0:08:57youngest son Lorcan's communication difficulties.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01At the age of three, he'd suddenly stopped talking.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07We first realised that Lorcan had a problem speaking, it was
0:09:07 > 0:09:11when he went to nursery school. Until then, he had behaved normally.
0:09:11 > 0:09:16He'd learnt to babble and say odd words and speak in really lovely
0:09:16 > 0:09:19sentences with beautiful speech by the time he was two.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23So when he went to school nursery, just after he was three,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26it was a huge shock when they said he wasn't speaking to anybody.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28He wasn't speaking to the children.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30He wasn't communicating with the adults.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36This child that never stopped talking at home wouldn't speak at school.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44Lorcan wasn't alone at school either.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48His big brother Luke was always there to keep an eye on him.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52At school, he was quite shy. He didn't talk to many people.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56He wasn't able to speak to his teachers, so he had to have someone
0:09:56 > 0:10:00else to talk to, and at breaks, he used to hang around with me.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05I thought he was quite a confident little boy.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09But when you then see he's going into school and he's, you know,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12he's too anxious to speak, it is really hard.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18You know, if a child's sat there quiet...
0:10:18 > 0:10:21..as opposed to another child that's disruptive and, you know,
0:10:21 > 0:10:25clearly got problems, who's getting the most damaged?
0:10:25 > 0:10:28The quiet one that's internalising everything, too anxious to move,
0:10:28 > 0:10:31too anxious to speak, to do anything,
0:10:31 > 0:10:33or the one that's disruptive that you have to go and help?
0:10:37 > 0:10:40Not sure if I've done that right. I'm sure he'll rearrange them.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46It did go on for quite a while and then obviously
0:10:46 > 0:10:49we had to look into what was going on and why and is it a serious problem?
0:10:49 > 0:10:51And the school suggested selective mutism.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- WOMAN:- Selective mutism is an anxiety-based condition.
0:10:58 > 0:11:03Starting probably under the age of five or when they start school,
0:11:03 > 0:11:06but it does render the sufferer incapable of speech
0:11:06 > 0:11:09in an environment in which they don't feel comfortable.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12They can be happy, normal child,
0:11:12 > 0:11:15but they get to school and they're frozen.
0:11:15 > 0:11:20Um, completely silent. Won't speak to anybody, usually.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22It's like having two children rolled into one.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25It can be very distressing for the parents.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29And for Lorcan and his family,
0:11:29 > 0:11:31there was another problem that came to light.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34He was also diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome,
0:11:34 > 0:11:38where sufferers can have difficulty understanding or showing emotion
0:11:38 > 0:11:41and they find other people touching them very uncomfortable.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48Lorcan has always been a child that does not like to be touched.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50It's very difficult as a parent,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53because your instinct is just to cuddle your child on loads
0:11:53 > 0:11:56of occasions or even just because you like to cuddle them,
0:11:56 > 0:12:00but, you know, with a child that doesn't like it you've got to be really careful
0:12:00 > 0:12:03because you've got to decide whose needs come first.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07Is it you that wants the cuddle or do you not cuddle them
0:12:07 > 0:12:10because it's uncomfortable for your child?
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Get your coat on.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20Do you want to fasten it up? It's cold outside.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Wait a minute. What about your things?
0:12:22 > 0:12:25When you throw Asperger's into the mix,
0:12:25 > 0:12:27that is something that isn't going to go away.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29He's always going to have the Asperger's syndrome.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Jayne was adamant that Lorcan got all the help he needed
0:12:33 > 0:12:35and quickly.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38Nursery was a problem because he just wasn't interacting.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42At one point, I don't think he was even...
0:12:42 > 0:12:45..they weren't even getting a nod or a shake of the head.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Selectively mute children can feel very isolated within school.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55They find it difficult to make friends.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Sometimes the families feel isolated too because they've
0:13:01 > 0:13:05got this strange child that nobody seems to understand.
0:13:07 > 0:13:12Selective mutism - it needs to be treated slowly, step-by-step,
0:13:12 > 0:13:15with patience, tolerance, understanding.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20You know, when people say, "Oh, you know, wait and see. Wait and see.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23"He might grow out of it." No. They don't grow out of it.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25You don't grow out of Asperger's.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27And if left alone, you don't grow out of selective mutism.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31So he's got two massive anxiety disorders.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Jayne signed Lorcan up for the local Beavers club to try and help him
0:13:37 > 0:13:39come out of himself.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44Initially, he was obviously not keen to go
0:13:44 > 0:13:48because he couldn't speak in these situations.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53But it's really important for him to go into these things
0:13:53 > 0:13:55because he's learning to socialise
0:13:55 > 0:13:58and he's learning skills that he needs throughout the rest of his life.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04The Dillon family were coping with Lorcan's condition as best they could,
0:14:04 > 0:14:07but a new addition to the family household was to change everything.
0:14:09 > 0:14:15When we brought Jessi home, I just opened the cat box that she was in
0:14:15 > 0:14:17and she just popped out. We all just looked at her.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22She was this little tiny blob of fluff with big blue eyes.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27She wasn't nervous. She just owned the house as soon as she stepped out.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33I was quite surprised at how interested in her Lorcan was.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36He was just besotted with her.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39The family already had a dog,
0:14:39 > 0:14:42but it was only Jessi that Lorcan grew attached to.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48I mean, it sounds really daft but she does seem to be really human.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50She just seems to be on his wavelength.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52If he got upset about something,
0:14:52 > 0:14:56most cats would run a mile from a child that's screaming and crying.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58She just sits there. She stays with him.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Very, very tolerant, placid cat.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03As if she knows that he needs her help.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Over the weeks, Lorcan and Jessi became inseparable.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11JESSI MIAOWS
0:15:12 > 0:15:16When Lorcan's playing with Jessi, he's, like, sort of just him
0:15:16 > 0:15:18and Jessi are in the room. He doesn't mind anyone else.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21But if someone talks to him, he will, like, answer,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24but it's just like nobody else is there with him.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30And the special bond they had at home seemed to be having a big
0:15:30 > 0:15:33impact on Lorcan's confidence outside the house too.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40We noticed and school noticed a bit of a difference in Lorcan.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Slightly more confident.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47By April 2012, he did start speaking.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50So who was he, Lorcan?
0:15:50 > 0:15:52He was...
0:15:53 > 0:15:56What's that word? An archaeologist.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00To go from speaking to absolutely nobody to being able to communicate
0:16:00 > 0:16:03and speak to your teachers is just... just fabulous.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07Have a look and I'll come back to you in two minutes, OK?
0:16:07 > 0:16:10We've heard quite a few stories of children being helped through
0:16:10 > 0:16:12a friendship with an animal.
0:16:12 > 0:16:18And there is no expectation of speech from a furry creature. A pet.
0:16:20 > 0:16:25I think Jessi-cat means a lot to Lorcan because without her
0:16:25 > 0:16:27he wouldn't be able to talk in school probably
0:16:27 > 0:16:32and he'd have to have someone else helping him a lot around school and at home.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38Thanks to Jessi, Lorcan's transformation continued.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Not only was he speaking more, but for the first time in his life,
0:16:41 > 0:16:44he was able to express how he was really feeling.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49We were in the living room and Lorcan was playing on the floor with Jess,
0:16:49 > 0:16:53messing about with some of her toys and that's when I heard him
0:16:53 > 0:16:55say, "I love you, Jessi-cat."
0:16:55 > 0:16:58First time he'd said it to anybody that I am aware of.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01It was just...unbelievable.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Just shock and just a really happy feeling,
0:17:03 > 0:17:06because that's a way of him letting out his emotions.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08And Jessi has been able to help Lorcan
0:17:08 > 0:17:10come out of his shell in other ways.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13He's moved up from Beavers to Cubs
0:17:13 > 0:17:15and is much more confident there too.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18When he arrived from Beavers, he was very quiet.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20And if we wanted to talk to him, we could,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23but he wouldn't speak back to us directly.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29When he got his cat, he talked to everyone.
0:17:30 > 0:17:35Even grown-ups. And now he's just real chatty.
0:17:35 > 0:17:40- Somebody's got a line. Lorcan. Right. Give me your numbers.- 15.
0:17:40 > 0:17:48- Yeah.- 48.- 48. Yeah.- 53.- 53. - And 88.- 88. Fantastic.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52From what he was before, it's a 100% improvement.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56Lorcan's had Jessi for 3.5 years now and his communication
0:17:56 > 0:17:59and social skills are getting better all the time.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04Lorcan's progress with the speech in school continues
0:18:04 > 0:18:06and he's just doing really well.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Speaking to unfamiliar adults as well as more to his class teacher,
0:18:09 > 0:18:11which was great.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16And Lorcan's anxiety levels dropped so much that he was able to do
0:18:16 > 0:18:21something that was, for him, previously unthinkable.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25We were invited to watch the class play, which was about the Romans.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28And it was going to be performed in front of all the children
0:18:28 > 0:18:31and the teachers and the parents of the class,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34which was a bit nerve-wracking because none of us
0:18:34 > 0:18:38were certain that Lorcan would be able to deliver his lines.
0:18:38 > 0:18:39HE TALKS QUIETLY
0:18:43 > 0:18:46And then Lorcan came on and did his bit.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49It was just a huge, massive relief.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52Little hands did go up to his mouth when he'd done it
0:18:52 > 0:18:54and he just looked up at me, you know, "I've done it, Mum."
0:18:57 > 0:18:58But it was just brilliant.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02Massive thing to do in front of quite a lot of people.
0:19:02 > 0:19:03And back at home,
0:19:03 > 0:19:06Jessi's supporting role has won her a permanent place
0:19:06 > 0:19:08at the heart of the family.
0:19:08 > 0:19:13Her pedigree name is Blue Jeans Angel and I think that she is.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15She is a little angel. She's just fabulous.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18And I think it's the best thing we've ever done.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21The best thing we've done for Lorcan, certainly.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33Back in Salford, dog control officer Will Harris
0:19:33 > 0:19:37has taken a suspected pit bull that was found roaming the streets
0:19:37 > 0:19:38to the council's kennels.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50Just a bit unsure where he is. Out of your comfort zone. There we are.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Good boy. Good boy.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55There we are. You see?
0:19:56 > 0:20:01He looks quite a nice dog, but to a member of the public on the highways,
0:20:01 > 0:20:03he's a threat. He's a danger.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05You don't know how he could turn, what he could do.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07Do you approach him? Do you stay away from him?
0:20:07 > 0:20:09You just don't know what to do.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11So obviously, this is our job - to get them off the streets.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17Social media sites are key for the dog control officers.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20They put up pictures of pets that are missing or strays
0:20:20 > 0:20:21that they've rescued.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25The puppy they found yesterday is already on the site.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27There are always lots of dogs to deal with,
0:20:27 > 0:20:31but today the suspected pit bull has to take priority
0:20:31 > 0:20:34over the white staffy they set out to find earlier.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37It's come through as a found, so I'm going to change that to
0:20:37 > 0:20:39a roaming, because we haven't found him.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Got a bed, water and food.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48BBC Radio 6 music. A bit of culture for him.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Come on. He's a bit... a bit stressed at the moment.
0:20:54 > 0:20:55He won't come in here.
0:20:59 > 0:21:00He's nice and safe.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03With the suspected pit bull in the kennel, Will gets
0:21:03 > 0:21:07straight on the phone to ask the police to come and assess the dog.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12The important thing is that we actually identify that the dog's of type or not.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15So we'll just will go ahead with that if that's OK.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21Well, no-one has come forward yet. We've had the dog for two hours.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24We will hang onto it overnight. We won't release the dog.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Thanks for you help. Thanks very much. Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:21:30 > 0:21:35Right. Hopefully they're gonna get someone to come down and see us today.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39And if anyone comes in between now and then...
0:21:39 > 0:21:42..they can identify the dog is theirs, but they can't have it back.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- They can't?- No.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48Because the dog may be a banned pit bull type and dangerous,
0:21:48 > 0:21:51the police have insisted it stays in the kennels until they assess it,
0:21:51 > 0:21:54even if its owner does come forward.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59It's not just roaming strays that Erica and Will have to deal with.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02A couple have contacted the office about a dog they've
0:22:02 > 0:22:03taken in off the street.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09Right. Just got a dog in Swinton, so they don't go up there.
0:22:09 > 0:22:10It's a stray dog.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14Not much information at the moment, but we'll assess the situation
0:22:14 > 0:22:15when we get there.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19The dog control officers can have ten callouts a day and never really
0:22:19 > 0:22:23know what they're going to face when they turn up at an address.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- Hiya. I'm from the dog wardens. - Yeah, I know.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28Where have you found the dog?
0:22:29 > 0:22:32- It's been down the back. - What kind of dog is it?
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- It's like a Westie.- Oh, right. Only a small dog.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Only a little thing.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42- Are we all right?- About two weeks. - He's been here for six days.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45There seems to be some confusion about how long the couple have had
0:22:45 > 0:22:46the stray dog.
0:22:46 > 0:22:51- So you found it two weeks ago? Where did you find it?- In the back entry.
0:22:51 > 0:22:52Come in.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58- Is this where it's been sleeping? - Yeah.
0:23:00 > 0:23:01Want the chipper?
0:23:03 > 0:23:07- Come on.- OK, bud. Come on. Good boy. Hello.- Girl.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09A girl, are you? Are you a girl?
0:23:09 > 0:23:13It's recommended that all dogs in the UK have a microchip that tells
0:23:13 > 0:23:15the wardens who the owners are.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17But this dog doesn't seem to have one.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Why did you phone us now? You've had the dog for two weeks.
0:23:20 > 0:23:25Because I wanted to keep her. And I can't keep her, to be honest.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28Well, it is the law to phone the dog warden as soon as you find a stray
0:23:28 > 0:23:30dog. I mean, this could be somebody's dog, madam.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34I just need to make a phone call and I'll be back with you in one sec.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38We're just gonna find out, because someone could be missing this dog. It could be a family pet.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41So my colleague's just going to make a few phone calls now
0:23:41 > 0:23:42because we're not sure.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44If it was two weeks ago,
0:23:44 > 0:23:46we may have had a missing report from two weeks ago.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50So with a bit of luck, we may be able to get the dog back to its owner.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53But Erica has discovered that the couple's story may not be
0:23:53 > 0:23:55- all that it seems.- Right.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59I've just had a chat with the powers that be and unfortunately
0:23:59 > 0:24:03we're not going to be able to take the dog.
0:24:03 > 0:24:08Because you've had it for two weeks. It becomes your responsibility now.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12- I can't. I'm too ill.- There's nothing we can do about that, unfortunately.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14I mean, I have reason to believe it is your dog anyway
0:24:14 > 0:24:18and you've had it for a fair few years and not two weeks.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22What would your neighbours say if we knocked and asked your neighbours?
0:24:22 > 0:24:25Is she called Lily? Is she called Lily?
0:24:27 > 0:24:28Mark.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33- Is the dog called Lily? - MAN: It's called...
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Well, unfortunately there's nothing we can do. We can't take her.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42You need to contact a rescue centre. See if they can help you.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Or the RSPCA. They might be able to help you.
0:24:44 > 0:24:49We, as dog wardens, only deal with stray dogs and she's not a stray.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52All right? Ready, Will?
0:24:54 > 0:24:55OK.
0:24:56 > 0:25:01On this occasion, the dog control officers aren't able to help.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Do you want to know the truth?
0:25:04 > 0:25:07- It's up to you, mate.- Um... Well, it is...
0:25:09 > 0:25:16We love that little dog but it's making my wife really, really ill.
0:25:16 > 0:25:23- Because of the fur.- Oh, OK. - You know. But...fair enough.
0:25:23 > 0:25:24You know.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30Alarm bells started ringing when she said that she'd found it two weeks
0:25:30 > 0:25:33ago but then the guy said six weeks ago.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37So I phoned one of my contacts and they confirmed that there is a dog
0:25:37 > 0:25:39at that property and has been for a number of years.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43The dog's called Lily. Um... People...
0:25:43 > 0:25:46They've asked people to rehome the dog for them
0:25:46 > 0:25:48and obviously got no joy, so they've phoned us.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50But unfortunately, as a dog warden service,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53we can only take literally proper stray dogs.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Not somebody who wants to rehome the dog.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58The thing is we need to help these people.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01But they just tell us lies and that's the unfortunate thing.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04If she phoned up and said, "Can you help us?" We'll try and help.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08It's just a blatant lie and as I say, it's not a stray dog.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10We can't take it. It's their responsibility.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22Coming up, if the dog Erica and Will are holding in custody does turn out
0:26:22 > 0:26:26to be an illegal pit bull, it could face being put down.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38In Berkshire, one incredible canine who has completely changed
0:26:38 > 0:26:41a family's life is Roots.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44I had no idea that our dog Roots could make such a difference
0:26:44 > 0:26:46to our family's lives.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49You're gonna need a bath. You are muddy as anything.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53Neil and Sarah Downing live in Reading with their three children.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56From the outside, they look like any other family,
0:26:56 > 0:27:00but everyone in this house lives beneath a constant shadow.
0:27:00 > 0:27:0344-year-old Neil was just two when he was diagnosed with
0:27:03 > 0:27:05type 1 diabetes.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11It's always part of my life, so I've never known any different, really.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13So it's there.
0:27:13 > 0:27:14It's always been there,
0:27:14 > 0:27:18but it's something you always have to be careful about. Always mindful of.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21You don't ever just do anything spontaneously. You have to plan for it.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Making sure I know where my blood testing kits are.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28Where my insulin always is and where blood sugars more importantly are.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31It's something that's there. You plan for it.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34But it's always there and it always will be.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38Neil's condition means his body can't produce insulin which
0:27:38 > 0:27:40breaks down sugars in our food.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43He has to inject the hormone instead
0:27:43 > 0:27:45and eat just enough food to steady his blood sugar level.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50It's tricky to get the balance right.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54It's incredibly tiring looking after Neil. It's a non-stop constant job.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57When his blood sugars do drop, he becomes very argumentative,
0:27:57 > 0:28:02so it's quite hard to persuade him that he needs to test himself
0:28:02 > 0:28:04and to take on some sugar.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08And if Sarah doesn't notice changes in Neil's behaviour,
0:28:08 > 0:28:11it could be the difference between her husband living and dying.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15On at least two occasions I had to call an ambulance for Neil
0:28:15 > 0:28:17because he was unconscious.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20I got the glucagon injection, which is the bringing him back to life,
0:28:20 > 0:28:24supposedly, and injected and called an ambulance
0:28:24 > 0:28:26because he was unconscious.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32Because the condition is serious, when the couple married 18 years
0:28:32 > 0:28:36ago, they worried that any children they had might be diabetic too.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39They went on to have a healthy son and then a daughter, but
0:28:39 > 0:28:46when their third child, Jack, was born, their fear became a reality.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48It was always on our mind, at the back of our minds, that it
0:28:48 > 0:28:50might happen to one of them.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53And when I was pregnant with Jack, I wasn't unduly worried.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55And it was only when he started to show symptoms.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57He was drinking a lot,
0:28:57 > 0:29:02his nappies were very full, which are classic symptoms of diabetes.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06Jack was only 20 months old when he was formally diagnosed.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09Like his father, he had type 1 diabetes.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12To have to inject a one-year-old...
0:29:12 > 0:29:15..was probably one of the worst things I've had to do in my life.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17And to be honest, the first time I did it,
0:29:17 > 0:29:20I closed my eyes cos I couldn't watch his face as he cried.
0:29:24 > 0:29:25From the day he was diagnosed,
0:29:25 > 0:29:28Sarah and Neil have had to watch Jack closely.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32At any minute, their son's blood sugar could soar or crash,
0:29:32 > 0:29:34leading to a collapse.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38He needs to be watched 24/7. If he's here, then I'm watching him.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40If he's at school, then his friends
0:29:40 > 0:29:43and his teachers are looking after him.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45His blood sugar can drop very quickly.
0:29:45 > 0:29:50And now 11, Jack is much more aware of his own limitations.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54Sometimes I can't do PE cos I'm too low
0:29:54 > 0:29:57and sometimes I have to sit on the side and not do the lesson.
0:29:57 > 0:30:02And sometimes I have to eat more which,
0:30:02 > 0:30:05when my friends usually aren't allowed to.
0:30:05 > 0:30:10For years, Jack's parents managed his condition as best they could,
0:30:10 > 0:30:14but they were never able to stop worrying about their son's safety.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17- How have your sugars been today? - Uh...it's all right.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20I was a little low in the morning. I had a bit of sugar, yeah.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22To get me up.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25Because Neil and Jack could both fall into a diabetic coma at any
0:30:25 > 0:30:29time, Sarah never let them go out together without a chaperone.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31Sarah was really starting to struggle having two
0:30:31 > 0:30:34diabetics in the house that she had to keep an eye on two different
0:30:34 > 0:30:36people, two different parts of the house.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39And it really was a strain
0:30:39 > 0:30:42and we needed some help to really have more of a normal life.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47The situation was taking its toll on the whole family,
0:30:47 > 0:30:51but one day something suddenly gave Neil new hope.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55Yeah, we read about the medical detection dogs charity in a Sunday
0:30:55 > 0:30:59magazine about the good work they were doing training dogs to
0:30:59 > 0:31:02alert for diabetics and having two diabetics in the household,
0:31:02 > 0:31:05we thought that would be really great if they could help us.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07So we contacted the charity.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11Dr Claire Guest has spent the last 12 years researching a dog's sense
0:31:11 > 0:31:16of smell, which is 100,000 times stronger than a human's.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Not only can they smell out diseases like cancer,
0:31:18 > 0:31:21they can also work with diabetics, sniffing out
0:31:21 > 0:31:24when their blood sugar has gone too high or low.
0:31:26 > 0:31:31We trained the first diabetes detection dog in 2008 and following
0:31:31 > 0:31:35the training of that dog, we very quickly got a long waiting list.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38So we now have over 45 dogs out working.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42The animals are trained to work with diabetics who aren't able to
0:31:42 > 0:31:45recognise changes in their own blood sugar levels.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47They let their owner know if there's a problem,
0:31:47 > 0:31:52then fetch their testing kit before the situation becomes an emergency.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55So Lydia here has a sample of low blood sugar.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57She's going to take the lid off the pot
0:31:57 > 0:32:00and that's going to make the odour available for the dog to find.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02The dog will then alert Lydia.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04Tell her that he's found the odour and will be rewarded.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14Takes a bit of time for the odour to come out. Is it in your pocket?
0:32:20 > 0:32:22We've just noticed the odour's there and you can see him
0:32:22 > 0:32:25starting to tell Lydia that he's found it.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32On smelling the odour, he's then gone to fetch the blood testing kit.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35Good boy!
0:32:35 > 0:32:39But however talented the charity's dogs are, training one for the
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Downing family in particular would bring a whole new set of issues.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47The difficulty or challenge with training a dog for...
0:32:47 > 0:32:50..when there are two people with diabetes in the house is of course
0:32:50 > 0:32:53didn't know how well the dog would be able to distinguish between the odour that was
0:32:53 > 0:32:58coming from Jack, the little boy, and the odour that was coming from Dad.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02We had no idea of whether we might be able to train a dog for this situation.
0:33:04 > 0:33:08Luckily for the Dillons, the charity had already started work with a very
0:33:08 > 0:33:10promising new recruit, Roots -
0:33:10 > 0:33:12a working cocker spaniel.
0:33:12 > 0:33:17Roots was always a very inquisitive little puppy, but he also was a puppy
0:33:17 > 0:33:20that bonded very, very closely to the person he lived with.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22So we knew these were the exact characteristics
0:33:22 > 0:33:24we wanted for a medical assistance dog.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28A medical assistance dog needs to be around the person
0:33:28 > 0:33:31and the typical dog would be the dog that would sort of sit beside you
0:33:31 > 0:33:34and put their head on your knee, so they notice the odour change.
0:33:34 > 0:33:39But how would Roots cope with two diabetic people to look after?
0:33:39 > 0:33:43He's thought to be the first dog in the world ever taught to do this.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47- Good boy!- Rooty! Who's a good boy? You're a good boy, aren't you?
0:33:47 > 0:33:50And after four months of intensive training,
0:33:50 > 0:33:52he was ready to be with his family.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55As soon as we saw Rooty, we fell in love with him straight away.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58Cos his charming face, he's got such a lovely face
0:33:58 > 0:34:01and his tail just never stops wagging.
0:34:01 > 0:34:05He's such a lovely personality. He's just become part of the family.
0:34:07 > 0:34:08When I first saw him,
0:34:08 > 0:34:13I was a bit nervous cos I've never had a pet or anything.
0:34:13 > 0:34:20But quickly I...got to know him. I played with him. I walked him around.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22You're such a clever little thing.
0:34:24 > 0:34:25Yes. I love you too.
0:34:27 > 0:34:28Now he's settled in,
0:34:28 > 0:34:31how has Roots been able to live up to the challenge?
0:34:31 > 0:34:35When Roots detects a low blood sugar level occurring, he will get very,
0:34:35 > 0:34:38very intense. He'll start pawing at us.
0:34:38 > 0:34:39And he'll do what he's trained.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43He'll put his nose into our hand, lick until he gets a reaction
0:34:43 > 0:34:46from us, because we're probably confused at that point as well.
0:34:46 > 0:34:51- Oh, here's an alert. It's an alert. - Go get it. Go get it.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55And then he'll go and get our testing kits. Bring them back to us.
0:34:55 > 0:34:59And then make sure that we test to check out blood sugar levels.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06- That's why he was staring at you.- On this occasion, Roots gets it right.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09Jack's blood sugar is low.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11Roots will give us
0:35:11 > 0:35:16normally about 20 minutes warning of an impending low blood sugar attack.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19And he's correct about 70% of the time,
0:35:19 > 0:35:21so he's a very, very clever dog.
0:35:21 > 0:35:22Well done, Roots.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26- Good boy! - Good boy! Rooty! Who's a good boy?
0:35:26 > 0:35:28A huge hit with the family, father
0:35:28 > 0:35:33and son have settled into a routine with Roots that works for everyone.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35He spends half his time at home with Jack
0:35:35 > 0:35:39and the other half helping project manager Neil at work.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41So yeah, I'll bring Roots in to work a couple of times a week
0:35:41 > 0:35:43when it's busy. He's there.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46He'll just sit under my desk for most of the day.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50And he'll jump up and give me the alert should I need it.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53Having Roots has been fantastic.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55He's taken the pressure off of me
0:35:55 > 0:35:58and it means Neil and Jack can go out together.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00Have a boys' outing, which I would never let them do before
0:36:00 > 0:36:04because I wouldn't trust them out on their own.
0:36:04 > 0:36:09Me and my dad can go out with Rooty and we know that we can be safe,
0:36:09 > 0:36:12rather than just us two relying on each other.
0:36:15 > 0:36:16OK, then. See you later. Bye.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21Having him keeping an eye on everybody is great.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23I couldn't imagine life without him now.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29He's the world now. I wouldn't know what to do without him.
0:36:29 > 0:36:34I just love him so much that... I wouldn't what to do without him.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46Back in Salford, we're with dog control officers Erica Eaton
0:36:46 > 0:36:47and Will Harris.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50They've captured a stray dog they found roaming the streets.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53Will, be careful. Good boy.
0:36:53 > 0:36:58And the dog looks suspiciously like an illegal pit bull terrier.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01They've put a call in to the police, who are trained to assess
0:37:01 > 0:37:03whether it's a banned breed or not.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07We'll be waiting for you and you can come straight over
0:37:07 > 0:37:08and look at the dog.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14OK. Wonderful. Thanks very much indeed. See you soon.
0:37:14 > 0:37:15Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21- That was the police officer. On his way.- He's on his way?- On his way.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26If it's of type, then it will have to be taken away.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28The owner has not come forward, which gives us
0:37:28 > 0:37:32an idea that they know it may be of type.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35We've had it now for six hours, so you would have thought
0:37:35 > 0:37:38if you're missing that kind of dog, you would be looking for it.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40You want to find out where it is, so you would phone us
0:37:40 > 0:37:43and say, "We're missing a dog."
0:37:43 > 0:37:47Erica and Will take the police dog legislation officer to assess
0:37:47 > 0:37:51the stray. He confirms that finding the dog's owner is crucial.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54Without that happening, if it's a pit bull,
0:37:54 > 0:37:56it will definitely be put down.
0:37:57 > 0:38:02A dog's a dog to me, regardless of what breed they are.
0:38:02 > 0:38:07I think a dog is definitely what the owner makes them.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09Unfortunately...
0:38:09 > 0:38:13...the law, we have to go with what the law states and...
0:38:13 > 0:38:17..do what the police say we have to do with him.
0:38:18 > 0:38:23The police dog legislation officer has asked for his examination not to
0:38:23 > 0:38:24be shown.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27It involves looking at the dog's physical appearance as well
0:38:27 > 0:38:31as his temperament, to decide if he is indeed a pit bull.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34After a short assessment, the news isn't good.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38The police officer took one look at the dog and said, "Yes, it's a pit."
0:38:38 > 0:38:44It's a pit bull. Um...no bones about it. It's an illegal breed. No.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46It's not good news.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49Tears in your eyes, mate.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52And we want that. We do the job because we're animal lovers.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55We're dog lovers. And we really want that dog to have a happy life.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58But without an owner making themselves known,
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Will and Erica know they can't win this battle.
0:39:01 > 0:39:06It's heartbreaking sometimes. But the law states...
0:39:06 > 0:39:08And we have to go with what the law states.
0:39:08 > 0:39:14We can't let our own personal views or feelings, um...
0:39:14 > 0:39:17..cloud our judgment, I suppose.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21We are big dog lovers, both of us. And it is hard. But...
0:39:23 > 0:39:25..it's all part and parcel of the job.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31But just as the stray pit bull's sad fate is looking inevitable,
0:39:31 > 0:39:34Will has some promising news.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37We believe the owner has come forward.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40We've given the phone number to the police officer
0:39:40 > 0:39:42and the police officer is dealing with it now.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46Although pit bulls are illegal,
0:39:46 > 0:39:50if the owner is prepared to apply to the court for an exemption,
0:39:50 > 0:39:54it might mean they can keep their dog so long as it's muzzled, neutered,
0:39:54 > 0:39:57insured, and has a microchip and tattoo.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03- Go get a cup of coffee.- It's a tense time for the dog control officers.
0:40:03 > 0:40:08It isn't the first time a dog's life has been taken out of their hands.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15Couple of weeks ago we got called to the RSPCA that a German Shepherd had
0:40:15 > 0:40:17been handed in as a stray.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21We attended and the dog was in the kennel.
0:40:21 > 0:40:26It couldn't move. It's back legs had gone. He couldn't see.
0:40:26 > 0:40:32So sadly, because of its condition, I had to sign it over to the RSPCA
0:40:32 > 0:40:35to give them permission to put the dog to sleep.
0:40:35 > 0:40:40And it was heartbreaking. Because the dog was an old dog.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Clearly he's been loyal to somebody for all them years
0:40:43 > 0:40:46and in his last moments, nobody cared.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49And it... it's that bit that breaks my heart.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56It's not long before the police call Will with their news.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59Right. OK. No problem. We'll be down here on reception waiting for you.
0:41:03 > 0:41:08OK. No problem. OK. Thank you very much. Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:41:10 > 0:41:15Well, fortunately the gentleman has confessed that it is his dog.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18The dog's called Kaiser and it will need to be seized by the police.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20So he's making his way back to us.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24Now they've confirmed who the dog's owner is,
0:41:24 > 0:41:26it's become a police matter.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29He's confessed straight away. He knew what the dog was.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31He knew it was of type.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35Although the police are duty-bound to take Kaiser the pit bull tonight,
0:41:35 > 0:41:37it isn't the end of the story.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39He won't automatically be put down.
0:41:39 > 0:41:44It is... From what the police said, it's looking quite promising for the dog.
0:41:44 > 0:41:50The police seemed confident that the guy will appear at court to...
0:41:50 > 0:41:54..for a magistrate to decide the fate of the dog, really.
0:41:54 > 0:41:58He's quite confident that the owner will attend.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01It's time for Will and Erica to fetch Kaiser the pit bull
0:42:01 > 0:42:04and hand him over to the police.
0:42:04 > 0:42:09Are you Kaiser? Are you Kaiser? Yeah. Come on.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11- Get him straight on the lead? - Yeah.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15But there's just time for one last goodbye with the dog.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18It's been a long and emotional day for them all.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21Yes. You're a good lad. You're a good lad. Yeah. Beautiful.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23Oh. Don't do this to me.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28- Good lad.- Very powerful. Very heavy. It's good news.
0:42:28 > 0:42:29The dog could have a future
0:42:29 > 0:42:32and we've actually got a dangerous dog off the streets.
0:42:32 > 0:42:38And so that is what we're paid to do and I'm very, very delighted that,
0:42:38 > 0:42:39you know, everyone's a winner.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42No tears. That's good.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44I hate it when you cry. SHE LAUGHS
0:42:44 > 0:42:47- Only cos you fill up as well. - Yeah, well, that's your fault.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49THEY LAUGH
0:42:49 > 0:42:53The puppy Erica and Will found has now been adopted.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Lily the dog is still at home with her owners
0:42:57 > 0:43:01and at the moment, they have no plans to rehome her.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04And good news for Kaiser the pit bull.
0:43:04 > 0:43:08He's been assessed by the police and shows no signs of aggression.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10He's been neutered, microchipped and tattooed
0:43:10 > 0:43:13and is now safely back home with his owner.