FLORIDA -- Animal control officers pulled 9 malnourished, parasite infested, and mistreated dogs from a Punta Gorda backyard. They claim they found the animals at the home located at 26583 Fairway drive with no food, dirty water, and in need of medical attention.
"He (the pet owner) was starving it. He didn't like the dog so he wasn't feeding it," exclaimed nearby homeowner Geofrrey Ryan.
Ryan is relieved the dogs are now gone. He said he worried about their living conditions for about a year and frequently implored animal control to get involved.
"This is the worst place I've ever seen. I don't think this place is habitable for animals or people," stressed Ryan.
This week's rescue comes just weeks after a chihuahua named Casey was pulled from the same household. Officer said Casey was hit by a vehicle but was never taken for medical help despite broken bones.
All 9 dogs tested positive for heart worm which carries with it a lengthy and expensive treatment.
"The things that were wrong with the dogs could have been easily prevented," said animal control officer Reannon Juergensen.
"The things that were wrong with the dogs could have been easily prevented," said animal control officer Reannon Juergensen.
The man who lived at the house recently passed away and his wife claimed the dogs weren't hers. That means it could be difficult to press charges without knowing exactly who owned the pets.
[Um, you charge the wife! Duh! She was living there, every time she went in and out of the house, she saw the animals tied up outside. A REASONABLE PERSON would know that the animals would eventually die if not cared for. By default, she is the owner/harborer/caretaker of these animals. Charge her with cruelty to animals!]
(NBC2 - Jan 6, 2012)
