County fair award-winning lamb under investigation after it was found to have performance-enhancing drugs in its system
- A lamb who won the grand champion title at the Logan County Fair last week is under investigation after illicit drugs were found in its system
- The lamb was shown at the fair from July 7 to 13 in Bellefontaine, Ohio
- Following tests by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, it tested positive for diuretics – a performance-enhancing drug that leans animal muscles
- Diuretics contaminate meat and can be harmful for human consumption
- The lamb was being tested before being sent off to the slaughter house
- The lamb is currently being held until the investigation concludes, which could strip the exhibitor and the animal of the grand champion award
An award-winning lamb at an Ohio county fair is under investigation after it was found to have illegal drugs in its system.
The lamb named grand champion at the Logan County Fair last week, was tested and found with a performance-enhancing diuretic in its system.
Such performance enhancing drugs are banned from livestock competitions because though they boost an animal’s muscles and appearance, they can contaminate the meat and be harmful for human consumption.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture said the grand champion market lamb, who was showed in the fair from July 7 to 13, tested positive for diuretics before it was sent to slaughter, according to WCMH.
A lamb who won the grand champion title at the Logan County Fair in Bellefontaine, Ohio last week is under investigation after illicit drugs were found in its system
‘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.
The diuretics give animals a unfair advantage when it comes to show as it dehydrates and makes muscles leaner – but it’s harmful when it comes to consumption.
Animals shown in the market county fair competition are typically sent off to the slaughter house afterwards.
‘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,’ Dr. Tony Forshey, the state veterinarian at the Ohio Department of Agriculture, said
‘More importantly is the food safety aspect. We don’t want any of these animals going into the human food chain that are carrying adulterated products,’ Forshey said.
The Department of Agriculture is investigating the Logan County case and is interviewing the parties involved.
At the end of the investigation, the county fair board will determine whether the exhibitor and animal will forfeit their awards.
The lamb is currently being held until the drugs are no longer in its system so it can be taken to market.