Stolen lamb meat highly dangerous

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Thieves who slaughtered and stole carcasses of five lambs near Waihi may end up with more than they bargained for.

Thomas Gothorp, a small lot owner, is concerned the carcasses stolen from his property are contaminated with drench.

Four days before offenders killed the six-month-old animals and took the meat he treated the lambs for internal parasites with two products - a strong oral drench Scanda and Zapp Pour On.

Zapp Pour On has a 39-day meat withholding period and Scanda drench 10 days so this stolen meat is not fit for human consumption.

If the meat is consumed there are nasty side effects.

"Because I had treated the lambs just four days before they were killed the Pour On was still on the wool (blue/green showing) and so the offenders would have it on their hands and clothing and it would certainly be in the meat."

The offenders may have unwittingly contaminated their clothes, surroundings and even their family.

"I am worried that women and children eating this meat could suffer long-term effects. This is a genuine fear that someone could get really sick if they eat this meat.

"Even having this meat in close proximity with other meat could cause cross-contamination. If people fear meat they are eating may have come from a suspect source it would be advisable to destroy the meat and anyone who has handled the meat should seek medical attention."

The five lambs were killed on the evening of January 22. Their pelts, heads and offal were left where they were slaughtered."