A family has spoken of its heartbreak after losing a dog to a deadly "cocktail of poisons" in Pateley Bridge.

The family had taken Molly, a springer spaniel, and Poppy, a cocker spaniel for a walk on April 23 when the two dogs both suddenly fell ill.

Both went to the vet but Molly died shortly afterwards. Poppy has since recovered.

Molly and Poppy's family said in a statement losing one of their dogs to poison has been "soul-destroying" and added:

The family had taken the dogs for a walk up to Two Stoops. On the way home Poppy started being sick and Molly began twitching later.

Read more:

• ‘Nidderdale cocktail’ found in poisoned dogs in Pateley Bridge


• Six suspected poisonings of birds of prey in Nidderdale

The family has been left asking questions about why anyone would do this, and what if it had happened to someone's child.

Samples found four poisons, which combined together have been named locally as a Nidderdale cocktail.

The tests concluded that exposure to the poisons was the most likely cause of Molly's death.

It is feared the two dogs inadvertently came across a poison bait that may have been placed to target birds of prey.

The Stray Ferret has previously reported an increase in bird poisonings in the Nidderdale area after six birds died due to suspected poisonings.

To encourage people to come forward with information, local businessman Keith Tordoff has offered a £5000 reward.

North Yorkshire Police executed searches at a number of properties in the area on July 17. Investigations are ongoing.

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