Cat clubbed: man avoids jail

A man who bashed a neighbour's cat with a golf club has been fined almost $3,000 but spared a jail term.

Michael Farrell, from Adelaide's northern suburbs, pleaded guilty in Elizabeth Magistrates Court to attacking the cat in his shed.

The animal was left with a fractured skull and severe internal injuries.

It crawled home but later died.

Farrell was sentenced to six weeks' jail but it was suspended in favour of a 18-month good behaviour bond.