A quiet Alabama town has been shaken to its core after authorities say a man deliberately cooked his own pet chihuahua alive inside a heated oven.
James Williamson, 44, of Atmore, close to the Florida border, committed one of the most horrific acts of animal cruelty all because the tiny dog wouldn't stop barking.
He is now facing a felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty after police say he followed through on a threat he made to his dog.
The gruesome incident occurred last Monday when Williamson got into an argument with a family member.
It was during this heated exchange he allegedly threatened to shove the puppy into the oven if it didn't stop barking.
Williamson is alleged to have taken the small dog, stuffed it inside a hot oven and turned the appliance on before wedging a chair against the oven door to prevent the puppy from escaping.
Neighbors soon reported hearing yelping and cries coming from inside Williamson's home, but by the time police arrived the sound had stopped.
According to Sergeant Darrell McMann of the Atmore Police Department, a veteran officer who owns a chihuahua himself, found the puppy's charred, lifeless body outside on the driveway, suffering from severe burns across its tiny body.
James Williamson, 44, of Atmore, Alabama said he carried out the despicable act all because the tiny dog wouldn't stop barking
Sergeant Darrell McMann of the Atmore Police Department who owns a chihuahua himself described the case as ‘horrible and inhumane' saying it tested his composure
McMann described the case as ‘horrible and inhumane' and said it tested his composure in a way few cases have.
‘When I got there, I was just at a loss for words, you know. I really just stood there and looked at the dog for a little bit and had to get myself together,' he told WALA.
‘This was someone's pet. This was a life – a small, trusting, defenseless life – and it was tortured.'
Williamson was swiftly arrested and charged with a class C felony, the standard charge for aggravated animal cruelty in Alabama.
He was booked into custody with a $15,000 bond. If convicted, he will be prohibited from owning animals in the future.
But Sergeant McMann believes the punishment should be far more severe.
‘I think in cases like this, they [the law] should be strengthened,' McMann said. ‘Because I don't think being a class C felony fits what he did.'
Currently, Alabama law treats aggravated animal cruelty as a lower-tier felony.
Williamson was arrested and charged with a class C felony, the standard for aggravated animal cruelty in Alabama but Sergeant McMann believes the punishment should be far more severe
The burned body of the small, lifeless dog was found on Dogwood Drive in Atmore last Monday
That means, depending on prior history and the court's judgment, Williamson could avoid significant prison time altogether.
Those on social media were outraged by what they had heard.
‘I think that might be a fitting punishment for him. And maybe all animal abusers in Alabama,' implored one user.
‘Well if he didn’t like barking, don’t get a dog!' stated another.
‘At what point are we going to change our laws here in Alabama so people like this are actually punished? Animal abuse happens far too often, and it's unacceptable,' wrote a third.
‘We rank 49th out of 50 states for the worst animal cruelty laws. We need to do better, Alabama. It's heartbreaking that we continue to do nothing to improve, while people go on committing these horrible acts.'
