Many years ago a cat destroyed a TT (not mine) when it jumped up and starting batting at the arm, catching claws in the exposed cartridge wires. It had what I believe would be called a "hissy fit" and beat the heck out of the arm, cartridge, record, you name it before jumping off and zipping out of the room. As it jumped, it dumped the TT from its position atop a 4' rack onto the floor. It happened fast and we were too shocked to do anything but look at each other, then clean up the aftermath. It was not pretty.
I, thankfully, am a dog guy. So, I won't even mention the dog jumping onto a Maggie and busting the panel, nor the numerous tail-wagging episodes seen through the years.
Really, I have to admit that my wife has done more damage to my stereo gear and household electronics than any dog or cat ever has which is why it’s great to have my own room where she doesn’t lurk. My wife has a green thumb and loves houseplants. Every flat spot needs a houseplant planted on top of it including the dustcover of a brand new turntable I bought once upon a time. Imagine my horror when I came home from work only to see a freaking houseplant sitting on my dustcover.
My wife’s other philosophy with regards to houseplants is that all houseplants must be watered to saturation and the excess water must rush out onto whatever the plant is sitting on. She ruined the tops of a pair of subs and main speakers this way. She once blew up a CRT TV because of course she had a plant sitting on top of it, and of course she watered it until the water poured out the bottom of the plant and into the TV. I didn’t know any of this had occurred until I turned the TV on and watched it go up in smoke. Suspecting what had just happened, I asked my wife if she had just watered the plant and ruined the TV. The answer was “no” until I took the back of the TV off and water came gushing out.