The Calgary Stampede’s appeal committee has upheld the decision to disqualify the winning steer in its Steer Classic competition after it tested positive for drug use.
In a news release, the Calgary Stampede said the appeal panel agreed the competition’s rules were “explicit and clear” and the drug testing protocols were valid.
The grand champion steer, owned by Royden Anderson of Didsbury, Alta., and Riley Chalack of Carstairs, Alta., tested positive for trace amounts of ibuprofen and flunixin.
“The two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that were detected are prohibited in any quantity under event rules,” said the news release.
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“The steer was disqualified for a violation relating to two separate drugs within the animal’s system. It’s our responsibility to facilitate a fair competition with high ethical standards for our human participants and high quality care for all animals,” said Paul Rosenberg, Calgary Stampede vice-president, in the news release. Rosenberg was also part of the appeal committee.
Anderson said he is disappointed with the decision, and said the decision is a concern for everyone showing animals at future Calgary Stampede steer competitions when an animal can be disqualified for trace amounts of drugs, possibly given months before the show.
“The drug amounts are so low,” said Anderson, who believes the flunixin, the active ingredient in Banamine, was given to the steer a few days before the show. He does not know how traces of ibuprofen were found in the animal.
“They’re not looking at fair play, but how to win this and defend their stand,” said Anderson about the Calgary Stampede.
Western College of Veterinary Medicine clinical pharmacologist Patricia Dowling, who disputed the Calgary Stampede’s drug testing procedure, said she wouldn’t be surprised if this case ends up in court.
“(The Calgary Stampede) would lose in a real court of law,” said Dowling of Saskatoon.
Dowling said the Calgary Stampede erred when it sent the steer’s blood sample to a horse laboratory for testing, used blood samples for detecting blood, had vague competitor rules and did not have a minimum level of allowable drug established.
“They can do this right. It’s weird they are defending their bonehead rules,” said Dowling, who has helped develop drug protocol for food animals and equine events.
“I am not wrong. I am correct. I have the weight of science behind my facts.”
