Man accused of attacking boa constrictor and then threatening police with large sword

A bizarre case involving a snake and a sword has left a Manhattan man facing numerous charges. On Friday, September 23rd at 2 PM, Riley County officers were called to 600 South 8th Street in Manhattan.

Friends had called police saying 45-year-old Michael Curnew had been acting very weird and had thrown a boa constrictor that is kept at the house down on the ground several times, launching it a few feet each time.



When officers went to arrest Curnew for Cruelty to Animals, officials say Curnew threatened them with a large sword, swinging it around.

Police managed to get him in custody and he is now charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Obstructing the Legal Process (misdemeanor), Disorderly Conduct, Cruelty to Animals and Criminal Damage to Property because officials say he damaged a window in a police cruiser with his handcuffs en route to jail. An animal warden took custody of the boa constrictor.