GRAPHIC: Woman dead for weeks was eaten by her dogs after they became desperate for food, officials say

BLOUNT COUNTY, Ala. ( WBRC /Gray News) – A woman in Alabama was found dead at her home and eaten by her dogs after officials believe her body had been lying there for weeks.

According to the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, deputies made the disturbing discovery Saturday while doing a welfare check on Rita Thomas, who had not been seen for some time.

Deputies found her body outside her home in an area of her yard that neighbors or a passersby would not be able to see.

Authorities believe she died of natural causes. She was likely dead for up to seven or eight weeks, officials said.

Officials said Thomas had two dogs and a cat. The dogs were also found in the yard, confined there by wireless perimeter collars.

Deputies said that her body had been eaten by her two dogs and other animal