TOXIC Meat Alert!

Posted by Gold FM on 24/01/2012

Five fat lambs slaughtered and stolen from a property on Bulltown Road, Waihi may have looked good to eat, but their meat is highly toxic.

The lambs had been recently treated with 2 chemical agents. Scanda is an oral drench used for internal parasites and Zapp pour-on is a treatment for lice and blow fly strike. Both have with-holding periods with the most toxic being 39 days.

Please spread the word that these sheep should not be consumed under any circumstances. If you know anyone who may have been in contact with any part of these animals, warn them about the danger.

In particular children are at risk of serious illness if they come into close contact with or ingest any of the meat.

If you have bought lamb from someone and you don't know where it came from be very cautious.

The people who slaughtered and stole the sheep are also at risk, not only because they will have been exposed to the toxic substances while they slaughtered and prepared the animals, but also because they will have carried the substance home on their clothing and may have cross contaminated their own vehicles and homes, along with their families.

To his credit the owner of the sheep is more concerned for anyone who handles or eats the lamb than he is for recovering his loss.

If anyone who has eaten the meat becomes ill they should visit the doctor immediately.

If you saw anything suspicious along Bulltown Road on Sunday night or early Monday morning please contact the Waihi Police on 07 863 8179 or get in touch with us here at Gold FM on 07 863 9644.