Authorities say Isabella Rojas-Soriano of Perth Amboy tied the dog's leash to a headrest before going inside the restaurant in Ocean Township Tuesday.
Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals chief Victor "Buddy" Amato told the Asbury Park Press the Yorkie, "Scoobey," apparently became excited during the family's absence and wrap the leash around the headrest.
The family returned to the vehicle and found the dog dead.
Rojas-Soriano is charged with two counts of animal cruelty for leaving an animal unattended inside a vehicle and for carrying an animal in an inhumane way.
