Fayetteville woman accused of starving dog to death

An arrest warrant was issued Thursday charging Quorcika Shacosiha Thomas with felony animal cruelty.

Cumberland County Animal Control received a tip in November that a pit bull mix named Princess had been buried in the backyard at 313 Nugget Court after dying of suspicious circumstances. When officers went to the home, Thomas denied them access to her property, authorities said.

Officers obtained a search warrant and found the remains of an emaciated dog behind the home. Another dog, malnourished but alive, was also seized from the property, authorities said.

A necropsy revealed that Princess had no diseases or conditions that would have caused its death other than starvation, authorities said.

Anyone with information on Thomas' whereabouts is asked to call the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at 910-323-1500 or 910-677-5455 or Fayetteville/Cumberland County Crime Stoppers at 910-483-8477.

The case is the latest in a string of recent animal cruelty cases in Cumberland County, including other dogs that have allegedly been starved to death and a puppy that was thrown into a lake to drown.