Police have issued a warning about the dangers of drugs used for animals after break-ins at two veterinary clinics in Kaitaia.
Thieves took pentobarbital, a sedative, and ketamine, an anaesthetic, from the Top Vets clinic last month.
They also burgled a vet clinic at Mangonui, but left empty-handed.
Police are concerned that the stolen drugs may now be in circulation.
They say pentobarbital is used for euthanasing larger animals and as little as 2mg will kill a human.
Ketamine has been used in date-rape cases and can trigger hallucinations and heart problems.