THE estranged wife of Derek Fudge has told an inquest he could have been driven to taking his own life by the death of his beloved Springer Spaniel, Barney.

Mr Fudge's decomposed body was discovered hanging in woodland at Draycot Cerne, near Kington Langley, on September 28, 2005.

The emaciated remains of his dog were found lying at his feet.

Mr Fudge, 58, had been living in a caravan at Lowbridge Farm, Bremhill, Calne, since separating from his wife Angela in 2004.

They sold their house in Long Close Avenue, Rudloe, for £140,000 and split the money equally. The inquest heard Mr Fudge frittered much of that away dabbling in stocks and shares online.

Police said it was almost impossible to tell who died first, but Mrs Fudge believed it could have been Barney, as that was the only explanation she could think of for Mr Fudge taking his own life.

"Derek's two big loves were his poppy red Range Rover and his dog," she said.

"I would describe Derek as a loner. I always thought of him as a survivor.

"I was very surprised to hear the police say they thought he might have killed himself.

"If anything happened to Barney that could tip Derek over the edge."

Mrs Fudge, who now lives in King's Avenue, Corsham, said she was told by police the dog might have died before he did.

Detective Sergeant Alan Strike said he couldn't be sure of the order of death, but he said he would be surprised if the dog had chosen to starve to death.

It was not tied up, had suffered no obvious injuries and there was no evidence it had been moving around in search of food.

"It might go looking for a drink and then come back, but the conditions of the two bodies suggest they were not too far apart in time of death."

Elizabeth Sinden, owner of Lowbridge Farm, said Mr Fudge had become very introverted.

"Derek spent nearly every day of 2005 in his caravan. He walked Barney twice a day, but he rarely left the caravan."

Coroner Peter Hatvany recorded a verdict of suicide.