State Fair veterinarians shut down highly-anticipated baby goat exhibit

STATE FAIRGROUNDS, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The highly-anticipated baby goat snuggling exhibit is leaving the New York State Fair before ever opening.

The 100 baby goats were seen being carried out of the exhibit inside the Horticulture Building as a line of people waited to see them.

A spokesperson for the State Fair initially confirmed to NewsChannel 9 the exhibit was “temporarily shut down out of an abundance of caution” after one goat was observed to have “symptoms of illness.” An illness was not yet diagnosed or confirmed positive, the spokesperson said when asked.

Monday afternoon, the Fair confirmed the exhibit would not open during the Fair’s 13-day run.

A Fair spokesperson wrote:

Prior to the Cuddling with a Baby Goat exhibit’s opening to fairgoers, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ veterinarians, who were conducting their routine animal health checks, identified a health concern with one of the baby goats at the exhibit, which was exhibiting signs of a viral disease that could potentially be transmitted to the other goats in the exhibit. Out of an abundance of caution for the other animals throughout the Fairgrounds, the exhibit has been closed and will not return for the 2024 State Fair.

Fair animals are frequently examined by veterinarians from the State Department of Agriculture and Markets to avoid illnesses from spreading between animals.

The Fair spokesperson says no fairgoer was allowed to interact with the goats because the veterinarian visit happened before the Fair opened.

The exhibit was operated by Steinmetz Family Farm out of Allentown, Pennsylvania.

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