A Peoria woman has been found guilty of deliberately starving a pit bull.
A jury convicted Lakisha Smith, 36, December 15 for animal cruelty, according to a report published Wednesday.
Peoria Police said they found the dog dead in the backyard of Smith's home.
Smith admitted in courtroom testimony that the dog was not eating, but said she tried to feed it.
A veterinary pathologist said the only way the dog would not have eaten was if he had an underlying illness, which the dog did not.
Smith will be sentenced January 14.
