SUFFOLK (AP) – Animal rescue organizations took about 100 chocolate and black Labrador retrievers from a Suffolk breeder who kept the dogs in pens flooded with standing water and littered with dog waste.

Almost all of the dogs had parasites and some tested positve for heartworm, said Debra Griggs, president of Animal Rescue of Tidewater. Many had mange and were dehydrated when they were picked up this week.

Most of the dogs are 1 to 2 years old, but there were also 16 puppies about 6 to 8 weeks old.

It did not appear that any of the dogs need to be euthanized, said Steve Wallace, who is Griggs’ husband and also works with Animal Rescue.

The breeder, John Boudiette, alerted rescue groups to the situation when he called the Long Island Labrador Retriever Rescue group in New York. Boudiette has an unlisted number and could not be reached for comment.

Griggs and Wallace said Boudiette realized he had too many dogs.

&uot;I truly believe he’s a good man,” Griggs said. &uot;He originally reached out, so you have to give him credit for that.”