LAWRENCEBURG — You may look, but please don't touch.

        That's the message Dearborn County fairgoers are getting this year as the Indiana State Board of Animal Health attempts to regulate human contact with livestock.

        Citing concerns about foot and mouth disease, fair officials posted signs near the exhibits asking that people refrain from petting animals. Those who have been abroad are requested to stay out of the livestock areas altogether.

Sheila, a Brown Swiss cow, nuzzles with Tyler Volk, 10, of St. Leon, Ind., as they wait for judging of the 4-H Dairy Show. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

        Mike Hornbach of the Purdue Agricultural Extension Service took a break from recording the winners of the mother/daughter goat event to explain.

        “It's just kind of a precautionary thing, to make people think about what they need to do,” he said, “especially people who have been out of the country.”

        “We've seen what happened in England,” added veterinarian Steve Hubbard. “If it happened here, it would be devastating.”

        In a close-knit community like Dearborn County, animal owners are likely to make exceptions for people they know, Mr. Hornbach said. That's the reason for the hand-washing stations, which were located near the animal pens to encourage fair-goers to take sanitary precautions.

        Did anybody use the sinks?

        “I did, and a few kids did, and that's about it,” replied David Brandt with a laugh, as he grilled “lamburgers” and lamb sausages at the Southeastern Sheepherders Association booth.

        Several visitors who admired the pigs, goats, poultry and rabbits said they hadn't noticed the signs, and were petting their favorites as they would normally do.

        Asked if he minded people touching his Adobe Pygmy goat, 15-year-old Adam Fricker of West Harrison said, “Not if they don't hurt him.”

        All animals exhibited at the fair had to be checked out, said Brian Lanphier of Aurora, whose daughter, Alexandra, brought two goats to the event.

        Indiana seems to be taking a more aggressive position than Ohio, which does not require a hands-off policy.

        “We do have hand-washing stations near the barns, and near our petting zoo,” said Dan Bullen, executive secretary of the Montgomery County Fair. “But there's no mandate from the Ohio Department of Agriculture.”

        Hamilton County, however, is going a step further.

        “We will be putting up signs at the fair, asking people not to pet the animals,” said Keebler Holley, 4-H agent for Hamilton County.

Guide to Tristate county fairs

Area county fairs

OHIO
• Brown County Fair
   When: Sept. 24-29.
   Where: 325 W. State St., Georgetown.
   Call: (937) 378-6716.
• Butler County Fair
   When: July 22-28.
   Where: Butler County Fairgrounds, 1715 Fairgrove Ave., Hamilton.
   Call: 887-3722.

• Clermont County Fair
   When: July 22-28.
   Where: Clermont County Fairgrounds, 1000 Locust St., Owensville.
   Call: Ohio State University extension office, 732-7070.

• Clinton County Fair
   When: July 7-14.
   Where: 934 Main St., Wilmington.
   Call: (937) 382-0901.

• Hamilton County Fair
   When: Aug. 1-5.
   Where: 7801 Anthony Wayne, Hartwell.
   Call: 761-4224.

• Warren County Fair
   When: July 16-21.
   Where: 665 N. Broadway, Lebanon.
   Call: 932-2636.

KENTUCKY

   • Boone County Fair
   When: Aug. 6-11.
   Where: Boone County Fairgrounds, Idlewood Road, Burlington.

• Alexandria Fair and Horse Show
   When: Aug. 29-Sept. 3.
   Where: Alexandria Fairgrounds, Fair Grounds Road, 0.7 mile east on Ky. 10 off U.S. 27 in Alexandria.
• Kenton County Fair and Horse Show
   When: July 16-21.
   Where: Kenton County Fairgrounds, Taylor Mill Road (Ky. 16) and Harris Pike, Independence.
   Call: (859) 356-3738, starting Monday.

• Grant County Fair
   When: July 27-Aug. 4.
   Where: Grant County Park, south of Crittenden on U.S. 25.
• Pendleton County Fair
   When: July 6-14.
   Where: Grounds of Southern Elementary at Woodson Road and U.S. 27 near Falmouth.
   Call: (859) 654-3395.

INDIANA

• Dearborn County Fair
    When: Today through Saturday.
    Where: Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds (across from the Argosy Casino on U.S. 50).
   Call: (812) 532-2050.
   

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