A stray dog was found with a body part in its mouth on Detroit's east side Tuesday afternoon.

The remains may belong to 19-year-old Jalona Stafford, whose body was found burned and dismembered inside an abandoned pickle factory on Riopelle Street last week, Local 4 reported.

Neighbors said the dog was carrying a leg with the thigh attached to it, the station reported.

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"A dog was carrying the leg. He had to be chased," said Thelma Davis, who witnessed the animal coming from the building.

Stafford was last seen by her family on the morning of Feb. 13, when she prepared to meet with her boyfriend, Jason Coleman, at an Econolodge Motel in Roseville, Local 4 reported. Witnesses said they saw Stafford (pictured, below) leaving the motel that night in a Dodge Neon following an argument.

Police said the couple had an argument over a program on TV and Coleman choked her to death.

A relative found the woman's Dodge Neon abandoned near Interstate 94 and St. Aubin Street last Wednesday night, Local 4 reported.

Police said after the car was found, Coleman confessed to the killing and led officers to the factory where he allegedly dumped and burned the body.

The victim's aunt, Juanita Stafford, said that police told her on Tuesday that they were not certain that the body part belonged to her niece, the station reported.

Police later recovered the body part. Officer James Tate said investigators believe the leg was removed before they discovered the body last Thursday.

"The body part that was found did have fresh bite wounds on it," Tate said. "At this point, (it appears) an animal took and hid the body part and we very well may have another that shows up."

When asked by Local 4 why a cadaver dog was not initially sent in to find missing body parts on the woman, Tate said, "We don't always send cadaver dogs into locations like this. That's the misconception."

Coleman was charged with Stafford's murder on Friday. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Stafford's mother told Local 4 that authorities have yet to release her daughter's body. A memorial service for the 19-year-old is scheduled for Friday.