At a Glance
- Claire Bridger, 64, was found not guilty of attempted murder but convicted of wounding with intent after stabbing her estranged husband.
- The incident followed a confrontation over the euthanasia of their rescue dogs.
- Sentencing is scheduled for March 20, 2025.
Why it matters: The case highlights how domestic disputes can quickly turn violent when emotional triggers-such as the loss of pets-are involved.
A 64-year-old nurse from Taverham, Norwich, was acquitted of attempted murder but found guilty of wounding with intent after she stabbed her estranged husband, Keith Bridger, in July 2025. The violence erupted when Keith told Claire he had euthanized the couple’s rescue dogs while she was away.
The Shocking Incident
On July 17, 2025, Claire Bridger drove to her estranged husband’s home in Norwich. She was unaware that the dogs were no longer present. When she asked Keith where the dogs were, he calmly replied that he had put them down. The exchange triggered a sudden, intense emotional reaction.
During a 999 call that jurors heard during the trial, Bridger could be heard yelling, “You killed my dogs!” She then grabbed a bent knife from a trash bag in her car and stabbed Keith in the chest and abdomen.
> “It was like an explosion in my head. I could see my feet getting out of the car and that was it,” Bridger testified.
The knife attack was described as a spontaneous act following the revelation that the dogs had been euthanized.
Legal Proceedings and Verdict
Bridger was arrested and charged with attempted murder and wounding with intent. On January 13, 2025, a jury found her not guilty of attempted murder but convicted her of wounding with intent.
During the trial, the defense presented a psychiatric assessment indicating that a combination of alcohol and extreme emotional arousal could have caused amnesia. Bridger’s defense attorney asked her if she intended to cause serious harm, and she answered “yes.”
The court scheduled Bridger’s sentencing for March 20, 2025.
Family Dynamics and Pet Tragedy
The couple had been married for nearly 40 years before separating in April 2025. They had two daughters and had adopted two rescue dogs, which were described in court as having behavioral issues.
Bridger had left the dogs with Keith while she visited her sister and niece in London for a week. She later stayed for several weeks dealing with the breakup. During that time, Keith and their daughters cared for the dogs.
At one point, one of the daughters asked Claire to return home to retrieve the dogs because they were having trouble caring for them and were planning to put them down. Bridger dismissed the suggestion as nonsense.
> “I thought it was nonsense,” she told the jury. “I thought that they would never put the dogs down, no matter what.”
When Bridger returned to Norwich, she drove to Keith’s house to drop off some of their daughters’ belongings. Before the trip, she reported drinking a double gin and tonic.
Keith was waiting in the driveway when she arrived. After a brief conversation, Bridger shouted, “Where are the dogs?” When he did not answer, she beeped her horn and shouted again. He then told her, “You know what happened to the dogs. I had them put down.”
The revelation triggered the violent reaction that led to the stabbing.
Aftermath and Sentencing
Bridger’s conviction of wounding with intent carries a potential prison term, but the exact sentence will be determined on March 20, 2025. The case underscores the volatility of domestic relationships when emotional triggers-such as the loss of beloved pets-are involved.
The court proceedings were covered by several local outlets, including the Eastern Daily Press and The Telegraph, which reported on the details of the incident and the jury’s decision.
Key Takeaways
- Claire Bridger was convicted of wounding with intent after a confrontation over the euthanasia of their rescue dogs.
- The incident occurred on July 17, 2025 and the verdict was reached on January 13, 2025.
- Sentencing is scheduled for March 20, 2025.
- The case highlights how emotional distress over pet loss can precipitate violent domestic disputes.
The outcome serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of communication and mental health support in strained relationships.
