BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - A Birmingham lawyer slit his dog's throat amid a bitter custody battle over the American Staffordshire Terrier and then texted a picture of the dead dog to his estranged wife, authorities said.

After a five-month investigation that included canine exhumation and intense investigation at a Florida animal forensics lab, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office today announced felony charges against James Stewart Robinson, 45. He is charged with Cruelty to a Dog. His bond is set at $40,000 but sheriff's authorities said he remains at large.

"I really can't understand how someone could be capable of doing that to their own lovable, loyal and innocent pet,'' said Chief Deputy Randy Christian. "It doesn't get more twisted than that. This story will shock, anger and sadden many people."

The ordeal began in June when sheriff's deputies were called to the 4600 block of Caldwell Mill Road in southern Jefferson County to investigate a report of animal cruelty. The terrier, Rufus, had been killed by having his throat sliced, said Christian.

Rufus, Christian said, had become a point of contention in an ongoing divorce case. Both parties wanted custody of the dog. Word of the dog's slaying spread quickly through the community, and sheriff's officials launched what would become a lengthy probe. Neither Robinson, nor his ex-wife, live at that address any longer.

Christian said Robinson, one of the owners, made repeated claims that his estranged wife had killed Rufus to prevent him from gaining custody. Beyond those claims, authorities said, he was unwilling to cooperate in the probe.

Lawmen, with help from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, exhumed Rufus' remains and sent them to the University of Florida Animal Forensics Laboratory. The results of the forensic analysis along with electronic data recovered from emails, text messages and voicemails led authorities to conclude Robinson had killed the dog.

According to court records in a domestic violence/harassment charge against Robinson, he texted the picture of Rufus with his throat slashed to his estranged wife, and then left a voicemail that said, "Your day is coming girl." Vestavia Hills police filed the domestic violence charge against him, and his estranged wife sought and obtained a protection order.

Robinson was found guilty of harassment in Vestavia Hills Municipal Court. He was sentenced to six months in jail and ordered to pay a fine, but he has appealed that verdict to Jefferson County Circuit Court and demanded a jury trial. That case is set for trial in January.

Late last week, Deputy Dwight Sloan, the sheriff's animal cruelty investigator, was able to obtain the felony warrant against Robinson. Christian said investigators have tried to contact Robinson and his attorney to make arrangements for him to surrender, but have not been able to get in touch with either. Efforts to reach Robinson's attorney were unsuccessful.

Sheriff's officials said resolution of the case wouldn't have been possible without help from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Southeast Region Director Adam Leath, and the University of Florida's Animal Forensics Laboratory.

"Our animal cruelty deputy Dwight Sloan worked incredibly hard to bring this case to a close and get justice,'' said Sheriff Mike Hale. "I am proud of that and appreciative to ASPCA and their technology. Without both of those elements, this could have, and likely would have, gone unsolved."

"I know Deputy Sloan well, and he was not going to let this one go,'' Hale said. "He has a real heart for animals and no use for those that would harm one."

This story was updated at 1:27 p.m. to include a picture of Rufus.