Woman In “Patrick” Dog Case Denied Pretrial Program

Officials say they will not allow a woman in a high-profile animal cruelty case to enter a pretrial intervention program.

Patrick the pit bull was found severely starved at the bottom of a Newark garbage chute. (Townsquare Media)

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday that 29-year-old Kisha Curtis won't get into the program that could keep her record clean.

Curtis is accused of tying a pit-bull to the railing in her former Newark apartment building, then leaving the state for more than a week in 2011.

The dog, known as Patrick, was later found near death in a plastic bag at the bottom of a trash chute. The dog has survived.

Curtis is not accused of placing the dog in the chute.

Officials say her lawyer is appealing the denial. Curtis could not be reached for comment Friday.