PHOENIX – A 40-year-old man was arrested in Mesa on multiple charges of animal abuse for allegedly having sex with his cat.

Michael C. Navage was booked Wednesday on felony charges of bestiality and intentional cruel mistreatment of an animal and a misdemeanor charge of inflicting physical injury on an animal.

Navage was arrested after police responded to a call at an apartment near University and Val Vista drives.

According to court documents, the caller said Navage had taken the cat into the bathroom and the cat was screaming and sounded hurt.

The responding officer located Navage in the bathroom nude, with the cat partially wrapped in a towel.

Navage denied having sex with his cat and had only been drying it off. However, the officer found probable cause for arrest based on witness statements and a veterinarian’s examination of the cat.

Navage also faces multiple drug charges, including possession with an intent to sell.

He told police he sold and used methamphetamine that was found in the apartment.

He also said he was homeless and traded the drugs for permission to stay at the apartment and use the shower.

A status conference for Navage in Maricopa County Superior Court was scheduled for March 28, and a preliminary hearing for April 1.

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