A WOMAN tried to murder her husband of 40 years because he put down their dogs after they separated, a court heard.
Clare Bridger allegedly stabbed her estranged husband twice as she screamed “you killed my dogs“.
The 64-year-old was living separately to Keith at the time because their marriage had broken down, but the pair were going to mediation sessions in an attempt to work things out.
But Bridger is now on trial for allegedly trying to murder him.
Norwich Crown Court heard how the couple adopted a rescue dog in March 2020 and taken on a second dog a year later.
After Bridger moved out, both dogs stayed with Keith and were described as “quite noisy” and “quite bitey” with “behavioural issues”.
He unsuccessfully tried to rehome the dogs as he struggled to live with them in his one-bedroom flat in Bramerton, Norfolk.
Prosecuting barrister Peter Gair told the court: “He felt there was only one option and that was to have them put down.”
Norwich Crown Court heard how Bridger went to visit her husband at his new home in July 17 to ask for him to pay for the next mediation session.
When she arrived at around 9pm, she asked: “Where are my dogs?”
It was only then that Keith informed her that he had the dogs put down, and the court heard Bridger “became hysterical” upon the revelation.
Norwich Crown Court heard how she screamed “you’ve killed my dogs” before she left her car with a knife and stabbed her husband twice.
Jurors were told she knifed Keith in the chest and abdomen before biting him on the arm as he tried to restrain her, EDP reports.
He shouted for help as he lay on the floor bleeding, and concerned neighbours rushed to help, the court heard.
They attempted to take the knife away and called the police.
The court heard a recording of the 999 call in which Bridger could be heard screaming “you killed my dogs” at her husband calling him “a horrible man”.
The caller said “there’s a woman with a knife” and Keith can be heard saying “she stabbed me”.
One of the neighbours, who is a doctor treated him at the scene before he was rushed to hospital for “severe” and “life threatening” injuries.
Police arrived to at home and Bridger told the officers “he killed my dogs” and she “just saw red”.
The Bridger denies attempted murder but admitted to an offence of wounding with intent.
The trial continues.
