Man arrested, accused of chopping his cat with a butcher's knife, tossing animal in pasture

CAMPOBELLO, South Carolina -- A South Carolina man was arrested -- accused of killing his cat -- chopping it with a butcher's knife, according to a spokesman for Spartanburg County Environmental Enforcement.

Officers were called to an address on Ferree Road on Tuesday, December 6th after receiving reports that a man was attacking a cat with a knife.

Officers spoke with 46-year-old Joseph Bergman, who told them that he killed his cat with the knife and then tossed the animal in a pasture across the street.

Bergman reportedly told officers the cat was sick and he didn't have money for a vet, so he got a large knife, walked the cat to the edge of his driveway and started chopping at the cat. When the animal started kicking, he flipped the cat over and began chopping at the other side.

Bergman was arrested and charged with ill treatment of animals.

Officials said the case will be handled in traffic court.