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.
