The fair’s drug testing program detected more rules violations and potential cheating, but results show an improvement from previous years.
Bob Segall/13 Investigates
INDIANAPOLIS - Eyewitness News has learned more animals have been disqualified and more kids punished for "doping" at the Indiana State Fair.
Lab results from Purdue University and Texas A&M obtained by 13 Investigates show four prize-winning animals at the 2015 Indiana State Fair failed their urine tests. A positive result triggers an automatic disqualification for the animals and the child who entered each animal must forfeit all prizes.
Those disqualified include a champion sheep from Hancock County, a champion swine from Tipton County and two winning beef cattle from Allen and Shelby counties. The cattle tested positive for Promazine, a drug that can help to calm an animal’s nerves but is illegal for use in cows. The other animals tested positive for the anti-inflammatory drug Flunixin.
The latest disqualifications come just two months after 13 Investigates exposed the growing problem of doping animals at livestock competitions across the nation.
State fair leaders in several states – including Indiana – admitted they face an annual battle against doping by a small number of fair participants who seem to take a win-at-all-costs mentality into prestigious livestock competitions, which offer tens of thousands of dollars for top winners.
At last year’s Indiana State Fair, all five top winners in the sheep category were disqualified for improper drug use in their animals.
One of the disqualified participants, who spoke to WTHR on the condition of anonymity, said the problem was widespread.
"It's everywhere. People do it all the time because they win. They cheat and they win," she said.
The positive drug tests are particularly concerning to officials at the state fair and 4-H because many of the animals entered into state fair competitions are then slaughtered and enter the food chain.
Noticeable improvement
The four disqualifications for drug use at the 2015 Indiana State Fair actually represents a big improvement from years past. At least ten animals failed state fair drug tests in 2012, 2013 and 2014, including several grand champions that were later disqualified after they had already received their ribbons and trophies. The urine samples collected from this year's top winners were tested immediately – before the annual Celebration of Champions – and lab results determined none of the animals selected for the Celebration of Champions was tainted with improper drugs.
"We’re relieved. Very pleased," said Indiana State Fair Executive Producer Doug Huntsinger. He said the decline in failed drug tests is no accident, with more media attention and more education paying off.
"There's a heightened awareness," Huntsinger told WTHR. "The work that 4-H and the Indiana State Fair Board has done to make the 4-Hers aware of the process and what our expectations are of the shows, we're very pleased. We thank the 4-Hers and their families for following the rules."
During this year’s Indiana State Fair, 317 animals were tested under the fair’s drug testing program. The four positive test results represent only 1% of animals that were disqualified. Put another way, 99% of kids participating at the state fair played by the rules and did things right.
"It’s really a small very number of participants who break the rules, and that’s the way we want it," Huntsinger said.
