A local couple has been bound to the grand jury on felony animal abuse charges for allegedly allowing their pitbull to starve to death only feet from their apartment door.Brandon and Judith Kester were bound to the grand jury Tuesday afternoon by General Sessions Judge Bill Locke following a preliminary hearing on the charge of aggravated cruelty to an animal. They will be allowed their same bonds until the grand jury meeting.Their charges come after Animal Control officer David Denton found their mixed pitbull-boxer chained and dead inside its dog house near their apartment. He testified Tuesday the dog was “extremely emaciated” and a veterinarian told him the dog likely died from malnutrition.The dog, Denton said, weighed 35 pounds when it was found.