Oxley police were called to a Cossa Street, West Tamworth, premises just after 5pm, after reports a dog had been stabbed in the backyard of a home.

The resident, a 36-year-old woman, took the female dog to a nearby animal hospital, where it died a short time later.

Police arrested a 25-year-old man, who was known to the woman, nearby on Robert Street about 5.40pm.

The man was taken to Tamworth Police Station and charged with torture, beat and cause death of animal and contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (domestic).

He was refused bail to appear before Tamworth Bail Court at a later date.