Alert over drugs used to put animals to sleep that may have been sold to public

Police have released an urgent warning after medication used to euthanize animals has been stolen from a car.

Cleveland Police said around 500mg of Pentobarbital, which is used to put animals to sleep, was taken from a car on Park Road South, Middlesbrough this morning.

It is strong enough to kill anyone who takes it.

Police said: ‘A report was received this morning that a car window had been smashed on Park Road South near Albert Park.

‘A number of items were stolen from the vehicle including 500mg of Pentobarbital.

‘The medication is used to put animals to sleep and if taken by a human could potentially be fatal.

‘Officers are appealing for anyone who has been sold the drugs, may know of their whereabouts or has the stolen medication in their possession to contact police urgently on 101.’

In 2020 a man was left seriously ill after taking horse anaesthetic he reportedly stolen from vets.

The unnamed man was taken to hospital following a suspected overdose of a medicine that is used to knock out dogs and horses.

Police said the drug Isolurane was stolen from GP vets in Worting Road, Basingstoke.

They have warned that the drug is so powerful it can cause a fatal reaction if inhaled, swallowed or injected by humans.

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