A Catskill man has been arrested for killing quails, according to state police.

Troopers say they responded to a residence on Jefferson Heights Road in Catskill on May 17 for a report of an individual dragging a bird coop around a yard with a car. Witnesses say Paul Saxe had attached a bird coop to his vehicle with a tow strap and dragged it across the yard and driveway, killing over a dozen quails that were inside the coop. He then allegedly left the bird coop in front of a dumpster and left the area.

Witnesses described the vehicle as an older red Dodge Durango with New York license plates.

Later that day, troopers located the truck and Saxe on Central Avenue in Catskill and initiated a traffic stop. After being interviewed by troopers, Saxe was arrested and charged with agriculture and markets law - aggravated cruelty to animals, fourth-degree criminal mischief and reckless endangerment.

Saxe is expected in Town of Catskill Court on June 15.