James Fiengo video: Port St. Lucie man accused of abusing family cat 'Joey,' caught on video

WARNING: VIDEO IS VERY GRAPHIC

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- A Port St. Lucie man was arrested Tuesday after he was caught on video abusing his family's cat, Port St. Lucie police said.

James Fiengo, 43, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for animal cruelty after police say he beat and injured the cat, named Joey, on multiple occasions.

Officers said the investigation began on Feb. 22, when Port St. Lucie Animal Control officers were alerted by Fiengo’s wife of possible abuse to Joey.

Animal control was shown two videos of suspected abuse recorded by a family member at their home on Airoso Boulevard.

On the videos, Fiengo is seen squeezing the cat's head, twisting and pulling its ear and holding it upside down while smacking it in the head.

An examination of the cat by a local veterinarian showed cartilage damage to its right ear, police said.

A radiograph also revealed chronic trauma to Joey's tail.

Fiengo was charged with animal cruelty.