Stolen pigs a danger

Press, 7 October 1987, Page 1

Stolen pigs a danger

By NEIL CLARKSON Thieves who made off with five weaner pigs from a Lower Styx Road property at the weekend have Stolen more than they bargained for. The animals are carrying in their fat a recent dose of Taslin mange spray and their meat should not be eaten for a fortnight

The pigs, weighing about 18kg each and valued in total at $275, were taken from pens in an open shed. Information about the theft is sought by the police, who have made public the possible health danger associated with the treated animals.

. The scientific director of the National Poisons Centre in Dunedin, Dr Wayne Temple, said the spray contained a substance similar to Lindane,, an organochlorine pesticide.

Lindane was the active substance used in preparations for treatment of headlice.

The compound builds up in fatty tissues and thus the warning not to consume meat from the animals for a fortnight.

Dr Temple said it was unlikely a person epting meat from the pigs would suffer side-effects, but he said the police were rightly cautious in issuing a warning about the pigs.