Pig, 72 dogs seized from Sussex breeder

Sussex County and state officials seized 72 dogs and a potbellied pig from a dog breeder last month, a spokesman for the county Sheriff's Office said.

The animals were seized from dog breeder John Boudiette on March 23 after the state veterinarian's office received a complaint, sheriff's investigator W.B. Banty said this week.

Most of the dogs are Labrador retrievers, and 39 of them have been taken in by Lab Rescue of the Potomac, said Sterrie Weaver, a member of the group.

The dogs were seized last month, but his organization did not receive any of the animals until Monday, after the owner's time to appeal the seizure order had expired, Weaver said.

Weaver noted that "the majority of [the dogs] looked in good condition."

The dogs will be placed in foster homes and socialized before being adopted out, Weaver said.

"All of the dogs are friendly; they have just not been around people a lot," Weaver said. -- Jamie C. Ruff