The former Wareham Animal Control employee who is accused of failing to provide care to her "diseased and emaciated" 10-year-old dog will face a trial by jury on September 10.

Anna Nelson, 52, of Linwood Avenue, is charged with one count of animal cruelty — a felony. She appeared in Wareham District Court with her lawyer, Margaret Swenson, for a pre-trial hearing on Thursday, and a trial date was set.

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell sought the animal cruelty charge after finding that Nelson's dog, a terrier mix, was "suffering from an undiagnosed disease and was severely underweight, such that his ribs, lumbar vertebrae and pelvic bones were all protruding," the agency said.

The dog's health had been declining for a number of months, according to the MSPCA. It had to be euthanized.

After she was notified to appear in court for the charge, Nelson failed to attend her April 24 arraignment. Wareham Police arrested her three days later. She was released after paying court fees.

Nelson worked for the Animal Control office in the summer of 2004, according to town records.