Man hurt by pet cat's death kills self

London, May 9 (IANS) Overwhelmed by the grief of his pet cat's death, a man in Britain decided to end his life, an inquest heard.

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

Posting 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."

McAleese's body was found eight days later at his home in Poole, a large coastal town and seaport in Dorset county.

In the Bournemouth Coroner's Court, his sister Juliet Willmore said: "He even told the man who came to cremate the cat that he was going to kill himself."

Sophie had belonged to McAleese's landlady, who had gifted her to him after he grew to love her.