In this case, I dont believe she had ANY help..and I read that the reason why the dog was in a crate is because two days prior he had some medical procedure at the Vet and he was picked up by the wife..poor pup, he survived whatever procedure he went through just to die of starvation :(
Mrs. Hackman seems to have been running all of her errands, and doing everything required the last day anyone heard from her.
I’m sorry about the dog, but I don’t think that was anyone’s fault.