Charges Upgraded For Patrick's Owner.

It's the seventh day of recovery for Patrick, the emaciated Pit bull who was shoved into a trash bag and thrown down the garbage chute of a 22 story apartment building in Newark, New Jersey.

The dog was rescued just minutes before being hurdled into the building's trash compactor by a maintenance worker who noticed the bag moving.

When the worker ripped open the plastic bag, the young red pit bull terrier inside was a mere skeleton of a dog. He was cold and near death. Someone had starved him and thrown him out with the garbage!!

The dog was rushed by animal control officers to the Associated Humane Societies and Popcorn Park Zoo where his rescuers named him Patrick, because he was found the day before St. Patrick's Day.

Soon after, Patrick was transferred to nearby Garden State Veterinary Specialties where he is currently receiving intensive care.

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Patrick, the dog who is recovering after being nearly starved to death and tossed down the garbage chute of a New Jersey apartment has no idea that forces have been working on his behalf to get justice for his horrific abuse.

This week charges against the dog's owner were upgraded to include "torture and torment of a living creature" which carries a much stiffer sentence.

Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray upgraded the animal cruelty charges against Kisha Curtis to a fourth-degree criminal charge that carries a sentence of 18 months in jail and/or a $3,000 fine if she is convicted.

Curtis is currently being held at the Passaic County jail on $10,000 bail.

Col. Frank Rizzo of the New Jersey SPCA left the following statement on the Patrick's page on the Associated Humane Societies of New Jersey website.

"Please let this serve as an update on the Patrick the Pitbull case against Kisha Curtis. After careful consideration, we have decided to upgrade the charges against Ms. Curtis from disorderly persons offenses to indictable offense 4:22-17 (b)1 - torment and torture. The public must know that we will not tolerate this kind of behavior towards animals in the State of N J and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law."

While all of this legal action took place, Patrick continued with his recovery and reached several big triumphs.

• On March 29 Patrick began wagging his tail when he saw staff members at Garden State Veterinary Specialists where he is being cared for. Manager Bruce Sanchez said, "He is truly becoming a real dog again."
• On March 30 Patrick gave kisses when his rescuers at the Associated Humane Societies of New Jersey came for a visit. The dog also gained 2 ¼ pounds.
• On March 31 Patrick was eating enough food for a 50 pound dog, which is what his weight should be.

During the week Patrick has also had a steady stream of visitors from the media and the public to wish him well and bring him lots of treats and toys.