A competition-winning lamb is under investigation for having drugs in its system.
Veterinarians discovered the lamb had drugs in its system during the Logan County Fair, in Ohio. Winning animals undergo mandatory testing. The lamb was on exhibit at the fair from July 7 to 13, NBC 4 reported.
“We don’t know how it got in there, and we may never know. But it’s the exhibitor’s responsibility to present an animal to the fair for competition that’s free of all of those,” said Dr. Tony Forshey, the state veterinarian at the Ohio Department of Agriculture, via NBC 4.
UPDATE: the market lamb tested positive for diuretics, which make animals appear more muscular and give an unfair advantage in the show ring. https://t.co/NiXapgBrTe
— Rachel Gribble (@gribblenbc4) July 19, 2019
The lamb’s urine was tested, then retested. The diuretic Lasix was found in its system, Peak of Ohio reported.
Veterinarians found that the lamb had been given diuretics. The diuretics dehydrate the animal, thereby making its muscles feel leaner. Leaner muscles are favored by competition judges.
It is not just the cheating aspect that is giving veterinarians cause for worry. There is an aspect of human danger.
“More importantly is the food safety aspect,” said Forshey, via NBC 4. “We don’t want any of these animals going into the human food chain that are carrying adulterated products.”
The lamb will not go to market until the drugs leave its system. It’s not clear if the drugs were given intentionally or got into the animal’s system by accident.
Tainted Animals
Some young exhibitors at another fair, the Franklin County Fair, stressed the importance of having animals that haven’t been tainted with drugs.
“It’s really important because you know how to take care of your animal, you know if it gets sick what you do, you can inform other people about it that don’t know and it’s just a really great learning experience,” said 11-year-old Jute Marihugh, via NBC 4.
#Ohio county fair award-winning lamb was stripped of its title after it tested positive for an illegal performance-enhancing drug. #crime #legal #animals #lamb #drugs #countyfair #cheating #agriculture #Lasixhttps://t.co/pmJyXIFzx4
— Vargas Paralegal (@VargasParalegal) July 22, 2019
“You don’t want an animal with a ton of drugs in it because it might not be safe to eat and everything,” said 13-year-old Hawkins Marihugh. “So that’s why I think it’s pretty important to have good quality stuff.”
Although NBC 4 did not give a name for the owner of the lamb found with drugs, an article from the Bellefontaine Examiner shows a photo of 11-year-old Franklin Kinney and his lamb that won the grand championship for market lambs this year.
“It’s important not to get stressed, and to stay calm in there while you’re showing,” he told the Examiner. “This lamb was a pretty difficult and stubborn project, but I’m glad I got to show and win with him.”
The lamb ultimately sold for $3,925 to buyers at the fair. The money can be kept, and the lamb was scheduled for a July 22 slaughter. Kinney will still be permitted to show animals at the next Ohio fair. He also has the option to request a hearing about the drug investigation, Peak of Ohio reported.
Competition Animals
Raising animals for state competitions is not easy. A winner in the goat competition for the Ohio State Fair explained what she does to get her winning goats ready for competition.
“Waking up really early, and just going to bed super late at night. Just working them three times a day, making sure that they have good leg hair, and just making sure they have the right feed,” said Jada Shroyer, at the 2019 Ohio State Fair, via the Facebook page for Ohio’s Country Journal and Ohio Ag Net.
