Eleven pigs were discovered Friday at a quarantined farm in Carroll County where 100 pigs vanished last week.
Acting on a tip, Maryland Department of Agriculture officials visited the farm, owned by Carroll Schisler Sr., 60, and operated by Carroll Schisler Jr., 34, and found 10 adult pigs and one piglet.
Officials aren?t sure whether these pigs are part of the group reported missing, said Sue duPont, agency spokeswoman.
The 10 adults were euthanized to allow for tests to determine if they were diseased, and the piglet was turned over to Carroll County Animal Control.
Also on Friday, an estranged brother disputed Schisler Sr.?s suggestion that he stole the pigs, some of which tested positive for trichinosis, a deadly parasite, in April.
“I couldn?t care less about these animals,” said Ralph Schisler, who lives next door to the farm.
Despite being neighbors, Ralph Schisler said he hasn?t spoken to his brother in two years.
“I don?t know what happened to the pigs,” he said. “This has been a nightmare. I just wish it would end.”
Schisler Sr. and Schisler Jr. appeared in federal court in Baltimore this week to explain the pigs? disappearance, but both denied knowing how the hogs ? some of which are several hundred pounds ? left the farm.
Schisler Sr. hinted that his estranged siblings may have stolen the livestock in a family inheritance dispute.
U.S. District Judge Andre Davis called for a 60-day period for more investigation. The Schislers face charges of animal cruelty, feeding garbage to swine and selling contaminated meat. State agriculture officials alerted 11 states about the missing pigs.
“We would appreciate it if you could make inquiries to livestock market operators in your state to determine if they may have received a consignment of pigs from Maryland sometime after Sept. 18,” officials wrote in a letter dated Sept. 29 and addressed to state veterinarians.
The letter was sent to Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and New Jersey.
