Man kills himself over death of cat

[Earl]

This is terribly sad.

A MAN killed himself after being overwhelmed by grief when his cat died, an inquest has heard.

Michael McAleese, 44, slept with the body of tabby Sophie for three days after she had a stroke and passed away in his arms.

He also posted a moving video tribute to the 13-year-old pet online. He wrote: “This is in her memory. She was such a wonderful little cat.

“This is a montage tribute to my beloved Sophie cat. I loved her so much and still do.”

Michael’s body was found eight days later at his home in Poole, Dorset.

His sister told Bournemouth Coroner's Court how he threatened to end it all.

Juliet Willmore said: “He even told the man who came to cremate the cat that he was going to kill himself.”

Toxicology tests showed he had normal levels of a sedative in his body and pathologist Dr Sherie Haider could not confirm the cause of death.

Sophie had belonged to his landlady, Adriana van Dijk, who gifted her to him after he grew to love her.

She told the hearing: “As soon as Michael saw Sophie he seemed to fall in love with her.

“I was away a lot so he looked after her. She had the sweetest nature and they totally clicked. She was like a child to him.

“He was devastated when she died and phoned me in the middle of the night. He slept with her for three days until he couldn’t stand the smell any longer.

“I tried to persuade him life was more than a cat, but in his case it wasn’t.”

Verdict: Suicide.

Michael McAleese killed himself over death of beloved cat Sophie | The Sun |News

[Ben]

I suspect poisoning.

[slaphead666]

Poor fucker. I was suicidal after my dog Tyke had to be put to sleep, still miss the old warrior.

[timey]

It's sad but it wouldn't make me suicidal.

[Ck]

What a shame

It is heartbreaking to lose a pet but I think most realise that the chances of them outliving us are slim to none so it will happen one day.

I think it's important to make the most of them while they're here with us then at least you can reflect on the good times and have happy memories and know you did good for the little fellow.

Suicide, no, I would probs need a week off work before I could face people without crying though.

[slaphead666]

It's sad but it wouldn't make me suicidal.

Mate, my old dog Tyke was born in our house, we had his mum and dad too, I was his midwife - his mum was so exhausted by the births (7) she couldn't get the membranes off the pups, lick them clean or push them on to a teat to feed them. We only kept the one pup, but he was the best dog I ever had and that's why I was so upset. I've had depression and been suicidal before, years ago, so i don't use the term lightly.

[jools182]

I cried like a baby when my brothers dog died. I had to go and get her from the vets too, and dig the hole to bury her

Taking your own life is clearly not right, it's a sad story and the guy must have had other issues

[Earl]

I've got Noddy's DNA in storage so I can clone a new one if he dies.