The man arrested on allegations of abusing and killing a cat late last month told police he had adopted the cat days only three days earlier from the Larimer Humane Society.

Fort Collins police arrested former Colorado State University student Bryan Hackleman, 24, on Aug. 29 in the 2400 block of Stanford Road. He is facing a class 6 felony charge of aggravated cruelty to animals.

The cat was adopted Aug. 26.

According to an arrest document, Hackleman's roommate called police to report strange cat noises coming from Hackleman's bedroom, and after Hackleman left the room, the roommate reported finding a dead cat in the closet.

Hackleman reportedly told police that he threw the cat against the wall after it bit him, and "in a fit of rage," he put a towel over the cat and stabbed it, after which he hid it in his closet.

Officers located a knife and towel as well as a bloody flathead screwdriver that they think was also used to torture the cat. Police and Animal Control officers also removed other animals from his room. Documents didn't specify whether the animals were living.

Fort Collins police released Hackleman's booking photo Wednesday. They withheld it until the completion of an investigation and interviews with neighbors.

It remains unclear whether police have tied Hackleman to any other reports of missing or strangled cats in the area. Police are still investigating the other reports, according to police spokeswoman Kate Kimble.

Hackleman is scheduled to appear in court for a first appearance on Friday.

This story has a correction: Though Hackleman is listed in CSU's online directory because of spring semester enrollment, a university spokeswoman said Hackleman is not a current student at the university and was not enrolled in the fall semester.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime.

Reporter Saja Hindi covers public safety, courts and accountability. Follow her on Twitter @BySajaHindi or email her at shindi@coloradoan.com.