A man has been charged with an act of animal cruelty following an incident in the Central Hunter region.

About 9pm (Friday 21 August 2015), it is alleged a 22-year-old man was at a house in Cornish Street, Cessnock, when he kicked a small dog in the head.

The dog received severe head injuries and died at the scene.

The man left the house and was arrested in Maitland Road.

The Kurri Kurri man was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with one count of commit an act of cruelty upon an animal.

He is expected to appear in Cessnock Local Court on 9 September 2015.