A 64-year-old woman allegedly stabbed her estranged husband after he revealed he had euthanised their two pet dogs, a court has heard.
A Fatal Decision and a Hysterical Reaction
On July 17 last year, Claire Bridger visited the Taverham, Norfolk, home of her ex-husband, Keith Bridger. The pair, whose 40-year relationship had broken down, were still attending mediation sessions. During the visit, Bridger asked about the whereabouts of their two rescue dogs.
Prosecutor Peter Gair told Norwich Crown Court that when Keith Bridger informed her the animals had been "put down", Claire Bridger "became hysterical". Mr Gair stated she began screaming, "You've killed my dogs".
The Alleged Attack in Taverham
The court heard that, upon hearing the news, Bridger got out of her car armed with a knife. She then allegedly stabbed Keith Bridger twice, once in the chest and once in the abdomen. The incident was captured in a frantic 999 call made at 9.18pm.
Jurors listened to a segment of the call in which Claire Bridger could be heard shouting, "You killed my dogs" and calling her ex-husband a "horrible man". Keith Bridger could also be heard telling the operator, "She stabbed me".
Neighbours intervened, helping to disarm Bridger and restrain her after she bit Keith on the arm. A doctor who lived nearby provided emergency first aid at the scene before Keith was rushed to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with what were described as "severe" and "life-threatening" injuries.
Background of the Dogs and a Relationship Breakdown
The court learned the former couple had adopted the first rescue dog in March 2020, just before the first coronavirus lockdown, and took in the second about a year later. After the separation, Keith Bridger moved out of the marital home and took the dogs with him.
However, problems emerged as he could not keep the pets, which had "behavioural issues" and were described as "quite noisy" and "quite bitey", at his new one-bedroom address. After failing to find them a new home, Keith Bridger felt he had no other option but to have them put to sleep.
When police arrived at the scene of the alleged stabbing, Claire Bridger reportedly told them "he killed my dogs" and that she "just saw red". She has denied a charge of attempted murder but has admitted to wounding with intent.
The trial continues.
