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MEAGHAN FORBESLocal petting farms have lost business since an E. coli scare earlier this year at fairs across the state.
Jennifer Borg used to book five or six pony parties and petting farm appearances on the weekend. But ever since the E. coli outbreak earlier this year at the Florida Strawberry Festival, requests for her parties have dried up.
Borg owns Pony Party Plus, a mobile petting zoo that caters to children with pony rides, goats, chicken, sheep, pigs and rabbits. That's the "big money maker."
The reptile portion of her business brings shows to children in the area featuring snakes, frogs, scorpions, alligators and tarantulas.
But last weekend, Borg only had one farm party booked on each day.
"From Easter weekend on, we've virtually had no bookings," she said, noting that there have been no petting zoos at schools this summer.
The decline started after a scare in March when several people contracted life-threatening kidney infections after visiting petting zoos at fairs across the state. Most tested positive for the E. coli bacteria, becoming ill after touching the animals and not washing their hands properly.
The outbreak has been linked to sheep, goats and cows provided by Ag-Venture Farm Shows, based in Plant City.
"All animals can carry E. coli," Borg said. "It's a hand washing problem."
The result: Area petting farms have lost business. At least one, Old McMicky's Farm in Odessa, is trying to find a buyer. Another area business, Red Barn Petting Farm in Valrico, did not respond to calls for comment.
Borg says parents who call her are extremely concerned about the animals, but she assures them that her outfit disinfects the trailer and fencing on a regular basis.
"Everything is washed and bleached before it's used again," she said.
The business has lost about $7,000 since the outbreak and Borg doesn't know if things will improve any time soon. It costs between $600 and $800 a month just to feed the animals.
In the meantime, she relies on her husband and the reptile shows, which brings in about $300 a week from appearances at birthday parties and day camps.
"If my husband didn't have a 9 to 5, I wouldn't be able to continue," she said.
Information from Times' files was used in this report. Meaghan Forbes can be reached at 661-2439 or mforbes@sptimes.com