Police in Dallas, Texas say a woman has confessed to fatally shooting her husband “as he was beating the family cat” during an argument at their home.

Mary Harrison, 47, was arrested after telling detectives that she shot Dexter Harrison, 49, during a domestic dispute on Saturday, police say in a statement.

Neighbours say the cat recently went missing, and Mrs Harrison had posted flyers. It eventually returned. She has been charged with murder and booked into a Dallas County jail.

The shooting took place around 06:45 local time, police say. Mr Harrison was transported to the Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, where he was pronounced dead.