Neighbour killed radio DJ's cat because it 'bullied him and smirked after it knocked over a vase'

Dougal Thorn admitted killing his neighbour Play Radio UK presenter Sarah Booker's black moggy and throwing its limp body into the River Adur in West Sussex because it "looked pleased" after knocking over a vase of flowers in his living room.

Miss Booker and her musician partner Tom Walker yesterday reported Mr Thorn to police after they had spent a week searching for their beloved cat Chopper.

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Mr Thorn, 41, of Shoreham, West Sussex, was today on police bail until next month after being arrested on suspicion of criminal damage on Wednesday.

He admitted he had killed two-year-old Chopper because the cat had smirked after it crept into his living room and knocked over a vase, had menaced him in his own home and had bullied his landlady's cat Barney.

He added that the cat had terrified other cats living in the area.

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He said: "The cat became a menace. He looked pleased when he knocked over a vase.

"Things were getting broken and the vase was knocked over with water and flowers everywhere.

"I knocked him unconscious with my hand and then threw it in the river.

He also pointed out that he regretted his actions, saying, "I have never done anything like that before, I absolutely regret doing it.

"I wish I could turn back time.

"I just lost it for a moment and made a terrible mistake."

Miss Booker, 35, is a DJ for online station Play Radio UK based in the nearby town of Ford.

Last month she appeared on GMTV's Sofa Factor in a bid to present a TV showbiz report from Las Vegas.

She said: "It makes me cry to think of the way Chopper died.

"Chopper was a lovely playful cat and wouldn't hurt anyone.

"I cannot comprehend how someone can kill an animal with their bare hands."

Memorials to Chopper are today lining the street where the couple live.

They read: "Chopper rest in peace, we love and miss you so much. We are sorry we couldn't protect you."

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Mr Walker, 34, who sells his acoustic guitar music online, said: "I'm really angry but I still cannot understand why anyone would do this."

Moments before Mr Thorn's arrest he was evicted by his landlady after another neighbour witnessed the slaying.

RSPCA spokeswoman Helen Briggs said it was not unusual for people killing pets to be charged with criminal damage.

She said: "It's up to the police to decide what charges to bring, although we can consult with them.

"A cat is seen as somebody's property, so by killing it this guy would be seen as damaging it.

"It depends on the circumstances. If somebody does purposely knock out a cat or dog and throw it in the river then that can also be classed as animal cruelty.

"But it is up to the police."

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 the maximum sentence for animal cruelty is six month's in prison or a £20,000 fine.

But offenders could actually face harsher penalties if found guilty of criminal damage.

Cat killers can potentially face 10 years in jail under the Criminal Damages Act 1971.

However most cases are dealt with by the Magistrates' Court where the maximum for a housecat is likely to be three months' imprisonment or a £2,500 fine.

Killers of rare breeds could face six months or £5,000.