ASHEVILLE — Two people are behind bars after allegedly leaving a dead cat at a West Asheville grocery store, according to warrants on file at the Buncombe County Magistrate's Office.

Shariah Jessamyn Metzger, 26, and Jace Lee Greene, 29, have been charged with misdemeanors for "improper burial of an animal," per local ordinance.

The two stand accused of leaving the body on the property of the Ingles grocery store at 669 Haywood Road in West Asheville.

The incident remains under investigation.

A representative from Brother Wolf Animal Rescue told the Citizen Times the animal in question was recovered and scanned for a microchip, and identified as a cat adopted from the shelter.

"Brother Wolf was alerted because the info on the chip was able to be traced back to us," said Andee Bingham, editorial and grants manager for the shelter, in an email.

The owner of the cat has been notified, according to the Asheville Police Department.

Both Metzger and Greene are listed as living at 20 Davidson St. in Asheville, the address of the Buncombe County Detention Center.

Later, the bond was increased to $15,000, according to Christina Hallingse, public information officer for the Asheville Police Department.

Hallingse said a necropsy, or animal autopsy, will be conducted this week to determine the cause of death.