POLICE have said today that the pellets that poisoned a guard dog at the Kirby Misperton fracking site are suspected to be aniseed balls.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of poisoning a guard dog at the site on Monday following reports that pellets had been thrown over the fence into the hydraulic fracturing site.

A guard dog, known as 'Narla', had eaten some of the pellets, and after collapsing she needed life-saving veterninary treatment.

Several pellets were seized from the site and a caravan parked on Habton Road, Kirby Misperton, was searched as part of the investigation.

A 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of administering poison to an animal and causing criminal damage to an animal.

A 61-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to an animal, in connection with the same incident.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said today: "The dog received treatment at a vet and is recovering well. 

"The pellets retrieved from the ground at Kirby Misperton are suspected to be aniseed balls - enquiries are still ongoing.

"Two men arrested in connection with the incident remain on bail as enquiries continue."

Derek Laird, managing director of Stockton-based Next Level Security Services (NLSS) which patrols the site, said he was “disturbed” by the incident.

He said: “We believe that she was poisoned by aniseed, something very harmful to canines.

“Narla collapsed and her heart stopped temporarily, she was rushed to the vets were she underwent emergency surgery and is now heavily sedated.

“This dog could have died and it is only thanks to the skill of the veterinary staff that she is alive today.”

He added: “NLSS strongly condemns any illegal activity and would urge all activists to act peacefully and lawfully when protesting in Kirby Misperton.”

Mr Laird said the incident had been “extremely upsetting” for Narla’s handler who has had her since she was a puppy.

He hoped Narla would be released from the vets this week but would be off-duty for up to three weeks while she recovers.

The company is helping police with their investigation.

A statement from the Kirby Misperton Protection Camp (KMPC) claimed that the poison allegations were “spurious”.

They said that police found nothing in their search for evidence but seized a jar of sweets.

They added: “An investigation into the cause of sickness of the animal is ongoing, however we are critical of the use of animals on a site where toxic chemicals are used on a daily basis.”

They also said that their community had previously made reports to the RSPCA over the welfare and treatment of security dogs on the fracking site.