Many dogs are without homes Wednesday after friends say the owner of a Bronx animal rescue organization has died.
Police say they pulled nine dogs from a van belonging to a woman who died unexpectedly in the lobby of a building on 174th Street.
Friends say the woman's name was Emalinda Narvaez. They say Naravaez was in her 70s and has rescued dogs for much of her life.
They say she started Earth Angel Canine Rescue years ago and would keep many of the rescued dogs in her car and home until she could find them permanent owners.
Police and animal rescue volunteers went to Naravaez's house Wednesday to rescue other dogs who may have been inside.
Volunteers are hoping to find loving owners for the dogs who can give them safe and stable homes.