Police are warning people in Canterbury to be wary of meat sold through organisations like sports clubs.
They say it could be a result of a sheep stealing operation, which saw 19 sheep taken from a farm near Templeton on the edge of Christchurch.
The theft was discovered on Friday morning.
Senior Constable Peter Carrington says the sheep would most likely be killed in unhygenic conditions and the meat sold through small clubs and organisations.
The stock is thought to be worth about $1500.
