Alabama Man Charged After Chihuahua Killed in Oven

James Williamson, 44, from Atmore, Alabama, has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a Class C felony, after allegedly killing his pet Chihuahua by placing it in a heated oven and blocking the door following a family dispute. Neighbors called police after hearing the dog's cries, but officers found the puppy's remains outside the home. Sergeant Darrell McMann, who responded, described the case as 'horrible and inhumane.' Williamson is being held on a $15,000 bond and, if convicted, will be barred from owning animals. Both law enforcement and animal welfare advocates have called for stricter penalties, noting that the current classification could allow Williamson to avoid significant prison time. The incident has intensified debate over whether Alabama's animal cruelty laws are adequate to address such severe cases.