Nine poorly cared for dogs were rescued from a Punta Gorda home last week.
Animal Control officers were alerted to the house at 26583 Fairway Drive by a neighbor where he told them that the owner was starving the dogs. Animal Control said the animals were parasite infested, malnourished and mistreated. They had no food, clean water and needed medical attention, and all nine had heart worm. Officials said the man who lived at the address had died and his wife claimed the dogs were not hers. They said that could make it tough to press any charges.