SAVANNAH, Ga. - The case of the man charged with burning a dog to death in an oven while burglarizing a house has been sent to Chatham County Superior Court because he waived his right to a preliminary hearing on the charges.

The next step for prosecutors will be to present the case to the grand jury.

Meanwhile, the case has sparked national interest. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has written to the district attorney's office urging it to ask for the maximum five-year sentence for the animal cruelty charge.

At an online petition site, more than 3,000 people from throughout the U.S. have signed up to urge Spencer Lawton Jr., the district attorney, to prosecute Alexander Davis to the fullest extent of the law.

Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department officers arrested Mr. Davis, 19, and Evelyn Jeanette Williams, 24, last week after receiving tips about the case.

Officers found items reported stolen in Mr. Davis' car.

Ms. Williams has been charged with theft by receiving stolen property. A police department spokesman said she has not been linked to the dog's death.

After responding to Angela DeLettre's call that her house had been broken into, investigators found Zoe, a 1-year-old rat terrier, burned to death in the oven.

Mr. Davis is also charged in connection with another recent burglary.