Drug-use allegation downs Stampede steer

Champion stripped of title after painkiller used to treat injury

CALGARY — It’s not quite up there with Major League Baseball or the Tour de France, but the Calgary Stampede is dealing with its own drug-use controversy after this year’s grand champion steer failed a blood test.

The steer, owned by Royden Anderson of Didsbury and Riley Chalack of Carstairs, has been disqualified and the second-place winner, or Reserve Grand Champion, has been awarded the title.

“The Stampede based our decision to disqualify this steer upon factual information and we stand by our decision,” said spokesperson Bonni Clark, adding that as a condition of participation, all Stampede exhibitors agree to submit their animals for drug testing at management’s request. “The Calgary Stampede reserves the right to determine if there has been an alteration of an animal’s physical appearance or physiological function.”

Clark would not name the substance the steer tested positive for. However, both Anderson and Chalack — who plan to appeal the decision — say it was Banamine, a painkiller in the same class as drugs as ibuprofen and Aspirin. The drug is an anti-inflammatory, commonly used to reduce swelling associated with musculoskeletal injuries.

Chalack said his steer stepped on a fluffing comb nearly eight months ago at a show in Ohio, injuring its foot. During the course of the animal’s recovery, anti-inflammatories were used several times, Chalack said. When the animal bumped that same foot on a trailer the day before its Stampede event, Chalack decided to give it a course of treatment again, just to make sure the animal was OK.

Chalack said he had no idea using the drug would cause a problem. He said the night before the competition, he asked a Stampede veterinarian for permission to administer a painkiller.

“We asked him if we could use a different kind of antiinflammatory, and he said ‘No, we want you to use Banamine,’” Chalack said.

While the rules clearly state the Stampede has the right to test animals for banned substances, this was the first year testing has been done in the grand champion steer competition. Four years ago, the Stampede started conducting drug tests on all its chuckwagon horses as part of its Fitness to Compete program. This year, it also tested horses involved in rodeo barrel racing.

“There’s a behind-thescenes grudge match going on.”

ROYDEN ANDERSON

While Clark said the increased testing is an example of the Calgary Stampede stepping up its animal care and welfare policies, Anderson said he thinks this particular steer was targeted and that a disgruntled competitor requested the blood test. The Calgary Stampede UFA Steer Classic competition is the richest steer show in Canada, with a $10,000 prize for the winner.

“It’s competitive. But I think it’s more of a status thing than a money thing — it’s about the title,” Anderson said. “There’s a behind-the-scenes grudge match going on (in this case).”

Clark said she couldn’t speculate on what might happen if the steer’s owners appeal, but said the situation “is under review” and any further developments will be communicated.

Dr. Alistair Cribb, dean of veterinary medicine with the University of Calgary, said drug testing on performance animals and livestock show animals has been common practice for years. In the case of performance animals, such as race horses, there are drugs that could give an animal an unfair edge over the competition — similar to a human athlete on steroids.

In the case of show animals, any drug that might enhance an animal’s appearance, increase its weight, or mask lameness would be considered inappropriate.

“In some agricultural classes, the animal will end up in the food chain,” Cribb said. “Therefore, it is also essential that the animal be free of all drug residues that may create a food safety risk.”

One of the biggest livestock show drug scandals in history took place in 1994 at the Ohio State Fair, when seven of the top steers and the grand champion lamb were disqualified for drug use or vegetable oil injections, which make animal skin appear fuller and smoother. In the end, the case resulted in 16 felony and two misdemeanour convictions, and led to the creation of Ohio’s Livestock Show Reform Act.