A Lake City man is facing assault and animal cruelty charges after killing his girlfriend's feline companion.

Police said Timothy James Stearns, 38, threatened to kill the victim and then actually killed the victim's cat and left the dead feline on the couch positioned in front of the door.

The victim told police that Stearns confronted her at her workplace and said, "Don't come home, or you'll get what you get, and I'll kill you and your cat."

Stearns was booked into the Columbia County Jail is now facing cruelty to animals and assault charges in addition to violation of probation charges.