An army sniffer dog on service in Afghanistan with the British Army got more than it bargained for when it swallowed what experts believe was Taliban bomb making explosives.

The crafty canine named Toby was on patrol sniffing out Taliban improvised explosive devices (IEDs) but instead of just sniffing, swallowed a toxic substance requiring an emergency evacuation flight.

After ingesting the toxic substance from the forward base where he was sniffing, Toby was picked up by a medical emergency helicopter and whisked back to Camp Bastion.

While on his way, army vet Captain Matt Clark gave him oxygen through a child’s mask.

On arrival at the base, Toby was treated with an IV drip and charcoal to soak up the poison and given drugs to control brain swelling which was causing him to fit.

British Army vets believe that Toby might have been feeling a bit hungry and ate the explosives he was supposed to be sniffing out.

Captain Clark said that after 24-hours of treatment Toby was on the road to recovery and will be back in the field soon.

“He’s a lot perkier now thankfully. He’s had something to eat and drink for himself so things are certainly looking up.”