SALEM, W.Va. – A Harrison County man is facing charges after police say he strangled a cat and made threats to police.
The Salem Police Department began the investigation Wednesday at 5 p.m. at a West Main Street residence. There, they made contact with Joshua Bjorson, 29, of Salem, and learned he had been drinking alcohol for about two hours because it was his birthday before an altercation occurred with a woman.
During the investigation, Bjorson allegedly said he wanted to fight the two officers on the scene.
The police said they secured a machete on a nearby bed before Bjorson could grab it. The suspect then began to approach the officers, made a threat with a clinched fist, and asked the officers to shoot him.
Officers used a taser on Bjorson, then fought with him for about 10 minutes before he was taken into custody. After being taken into custody, he continued to threaten officers.
Police said Bjorson also admitted to strangling a cat in the but did not kill it.
Bjorson has been charged with assaulting an officer, obstructing an officer, and animal cruelty.
He is being held at North Central Regional Jail.