One day before the conclusion of a community fundraiser to help save Sea Breeze Farms’ pastureland, King County Animal Control officers and sheriff’s deputies descended on the farm’s restaurant and began an investigation into the welfare of the farm’s animals.

Authorities arrived at the farm’s La Boucherie restaurant next door to IGA on the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 30 seeking out Sea Breeze owner George Page. Animal control officers would not comment on the details of the investigation, but confirmed what local animal activists, and later Sea Breeze Farm owner George Page, said. The investigation centered on one of the farm’s pig holding sites in the northwest portion of the island. Pigs were reportedly found sick and dead, according to islanders with knowledge of the case.

Regional Animal Services of King County Manager Gene Mueller also said that he could not comment on the investigation, but said it is ongoing.

When asked about the incident, Page said that the person who had called the authorities on Wednesday stumbled across a pig of his that had gotten out and wandered off.

“We’ve had pigs get out before. We had one get out, and it wasn’t doing so well,” Page said. “We wish that person would have made us aware of it instead of calling animal control, but we’re nursing it back to health.”

As for the dead pigs, he said that the area where the lost pig was reportedly found is “quite a large area” and remains of other pigs that must have wandered off “awhile ago” were discovered as well.

The incident came days before a fundraiser for the farm’s pastureland was set to end. As of Thursday, the community had raised $90,000 to go toward a balloon payment for the pastureland. The effort began in mid-December in order to raise enough money for the $150,000 payment due at the end of 2015 for 6 acres of the farm’s land. Page said that he has been using the acreage as the farm’s main grazing pasture and has been paying it off for roughly 10 years, but the contract he entered into required a balloon payment of $240,000 at the end of 2015.On the farm’s campaign page, he said that he had been able to save $90,000, but needed to raise the remaining $150,000.

“That’s the position we found ourselves in,” Page said. “I had worked with some bankers and some other accountants to figure out a solution, but as the day got closer, I just realized it was not going to happen in time.” The campaign pre-sold the farm’s products, from dinners at La Boucherie to gift cards and private farm parties at the northend farm. Page said he was grateful that the farmland was able to be saved.

The animal investigation is ongoing. Check upcoming Beachcombers for updates.