A 64-year-old woman allegedly stabbed her estranged husband twice with a knife after he revealed he had arranged for their two rescue dogs to be put down, a court has heard.
A Fatal Revelation Leads to Violence
Claire Bridger is said to have inflicted life-threatening injuries on Keith Bridger after driving to his address on the night of July 17 last year. She had intended to ask him to pay for their next mediation session, but the encounter turned violent when she discovered the fate of their pets.
Prosecutor Peter Gair told Norwich Crown Court that the defendant "became hysterical" upon learning the dogs had been euthanised. "She was screaming 'You've killed my dogs'," Mr Gair stated. Bridger then got out of her car with a knife in her right hand and stabbed her husband twice, once in the chest and once in the abdomen.
The Aftermath and the 999 Call
As Mr Bridger lay on the floor bleeding and crying for help, his wife also allegedly bit him on the arm. Alerted by the commotion, neighbours rushed over and tried to wrestle the knife from Claire Bridger before calling the emergency services.
Part of the harrowing 999 call was played to the jury. The caller was heard telling the operator, "There’s a woman with a knife." In the background, Claire Bridger could be heard screaming at her husband, "You killed my dogs," and calling him a "horrible man." Mr Bridger was also heard saying, "She stabbed me."
When police arrived at the scene, the defendant allegedly told them, "he killed my dogs," before adding, "I just saw red."
Background of the Couple and Their Pets
The court heard the couple had been together for almost 40 years but separated the year before the alleged incident. They had taken in their first rescue dog at their marital home in Taverham, Norfolk, in March 2020, just days before the first pandemic lockdown. A second dog was homed a year later.
The pets were described as having behavioural issues, being "quite noisy" and "bitey." After the relationship broke down, the dogs were being looked after by Mr Bridger. However, he was not allowed to keep them permanently at his one-bedroom accommodation in Bramerton and attempts to rehome them had failed.
"He felt there was only one option and that was to have them put down," Mr Gair explained. Claire Bridger had not been informed of this decision.
Mr Bridger's severe injuries were initially treated by a neighbour who is a doctor, before he was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
Claire Bridger, who appeared emotional in the dock as the case was opened, denies attempted murder. The jury has been told she has admitted an offence of wounding with intent. The trial continues.
