A man has been charged with serious animal cruelty offences in Cessnock overnight.

Last Thursday, 5 March 2015, a man placed an advertisement on a website for the sale of 11 Bull Terrier cross puppies.

Almost a week later they had not sold and the man offered the puppies, free of charge, to a 25-year-old who accepted.

About 4.30pm, Wednesday 11 March 2015, the 25 year old loaded the puppies in his car and took them to bushland on McLeods Road, Kurri Kurri.

He allegedly began to kill them with a rock, hitting them in the head and throwing them into the bush.

A man saw this occurring and confronted the 25-year-old, who drove from the area with five of the puppies still alive.

The RSPCA were contacted and attended the location. They took the puppies to a vet in Cessnock, only one survived.

The RSPCA commenced an investigation and, with police, attended a home in Heddon Street, Kurri Kurri about 8.20pm last night.

A 25-year-old man was arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station. He was charged with serious animal cruelty, aggravated animal cruelty and resist arrest.

He was refused bail to appear before Maitland Local Court today (Friday 13 March 2015).

The man allegedly told police four of the five remaining puppies were destroyed and the fifth was re-homed.