(KLZA)-- A Dawson man was arrested Saturday by the Richardson County Sheriff’s Office on a felony charge of animal cruelty. 

According to a release from the Sheriff’s Office, a deputy was investigating a report of a suspicious vehicle near Dawson. 

It was determined the vehicle, owned by 56-year old Gary Cornely, was allegedly used in the asphyxiation of six cats which belonged to Cornely.

After the cats were asphyxiated, the report indicates they were removed from the vehicle and burned in a fire pit a short distance from the vehicle.