NATCHEZ — A reportedly neglected pit bull adopted by the Humane Society was stolen early Thursday morning, shelter Director Pat Cox said.

The dog, a female, was removed from its owner’s possession in February when someone reported another dog dead at the same house. The dog died of exposure and malnutrition, veterinary reports at the time concluded.

In March, the owner was arrested on two counts of failure to provide sustenance.

The surviving dog was treated, gained weight and, six months later, was generally healthy, Cox said.

“We were trying to find a good home for her,” Cox said. “She was just a sweet-natured dog.”

The dog was taken from a fenced-in area behind the shelter, Cox said.

“Someone would have had to climb our fence and get her out of the run,” she said. “I’m sick about it.”

She filed a police report on the missing dog, which is tan with a white face.

Cox said she was afraid the dog had been returned to the conditions in which the Humane Society found her.

“It’s just heartbreaking to think she went back to the same situation or worse,” Cox said.

Cox asked anyone who saw the dog to call her at 601-442-7890.