A New Jersey woman accused in March of abandoning a starved pit bull found at the bottom of a trash chute has been indicted on a charge of animal cruelty.

A grand jury in Essex County indicted Kisha Curtis on Friday.

Prosecutors say the 27-year-old from Albany, N.Y., tied the dog to a railing in her former Newark apartment building in March, and left the state for more than a week.

The year-old red pit bull mix, nicknamed "Patrick" by the hospital where he underwent rehab, was found near-death in a plastic bag at the bottom of the trash chute.

Patrick's plight and recovery sparked a worldwide outpouring of support.

Curtis originally pleaded not guilty to lesser charges. It was not clear who was representing her on the new charge.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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