Police conducting a traffic stop in New York state said they discovered a living cat in the trunk of the car "marinating" in preparation for cooking.

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Buffalo police said they pulled over Gary Korkuc, 51, of Cheektowaga, after he allegedly drove through a stop sign Sunday night and officers heard a cat crying from the trunk of the car, The Buffalo News reported Tuesday.

Officers said they found the car "marinating" in a mixture of crushed red peppers, chili pepper, salt and oil.

Korkuc, who adopted the 4-year-old feline May 11, told police he was planning to cook the cat because it had been "mean" to him.

The motorist was arrested on one count of cruelty to animals.

The cat was seized and taken to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Serving Erie County, where workers said the feline was adjusting well after several baths.

"We can learn lessons in resiliency. He is purring away and getting ready for his next checkup. He's looking around like, 'What am I doing here?' He might be put (back) up for adoption," said Gina Browning, director of public relations for the SPCA.