Man accused of killing puppy with ax as children begged him to stop

<p>A man accused of hacking his estranged wifes puppy to death with an ax as three children begged him to stop faces animal and child cruelty charges, police said.</p><p>Stephen Jay Williams, 38, of LaGrange got into a fight with his 34-year-old wife at a home on Sunday, then killed her pet and threatened her with the ax, police said. Children ages 9, 10 and 13 witnessed the attack. Its not clear if they are related to the suspect.</p><p>Williams told investigators he was upset because the dog had bitten him two weeks ago, police said.</p><p>Williams was charged with three counts of first-degree child cruelty, aggravated cruelty to an animal and aggravated assault. He was being held without bail Monday.</p>