Starving Dog Found Eating Dog’s Carcass In South Jersey Home

A New Jersey woman faces charges after an emaciated dog was found eating another dog's carcass in order to survive, authorities said.

Heather Thistlewood, 37, who lived at the Pilesgrove house where the dogs were found, faces charges of animal abandonment, failure to provide care and abandoning a disabled animal to die in a public place, Salem County Prosecutor’s Office told nj.com.

"She (the starvin dog) just started eating the other dog because there was nothing else to do," said Connie Walker, vice president of the Salem County Humane Society.

These charges are disorderly persons offenses that fall under animal cruelty statutes, according to nj.com.

The dog's name is Ruth, a boxer/beagle mix who is about 4 years old, accoring to the Salem County Prosecutor's Office.

Ruth, who was found with the other dog without food or water, weighed 29 pounds and tested positive for Lyme disease, accoding to Walker.

"In case you haven't heard, we recently took on a heartbreaking case," the Salem County Humane Society said while posting pictures of Ruth.

One of the society's volunteers has offered to foster Ruth while she gains weight and strength and builds trust. The humane society hopes to find a permanent owner now that Ruth "has a long road to recovery ahead of her before she can even receive her vaccinations and be spayed."

The dog was discovered when one of the neighbors called in and said a dog was barking, Walker said.

"She's as sweet as can be. She's coming around," Walker said.