Piper the dog in huge danger as Tom's behaviour worsens

Emmerdale viewers have been rightly outraged over Tom King‘s abusive behaviour – but some have been more concerned about Piper the dog than victim Belle!

Physically abusive and emotionally controlling and manipulative, we’re all agreed Tom is not a nice guy. But Belle is continuing to stay in the marriage – we’re not sure whether it’s out of love or fear, but she is determined not to let her mask slip.

However, having now discovered she’s pregnant, Belle is devastated. Knowing there are so many reasons they can’t bring a baby into their lives, Belle has decided on a termination. But isn’t planning to tell Tom who is happily delivering the ‘good’ news to anyone who will listen.

Emmerdale: Piper the dog — Step away from Piper the dog, Tom! (Credit: ITV)

Tom hurts Piper in Emmerdale

Viewers have watched in complete horror as Tom used Piper to exert even more control over his wife. He didn’t like the fact his plot to make Belle think her mental health was at risk went wrong.

Tom managed to convince her she had forgotten to take her meds, but instead of him then controlling her pills, she decided to check into a mental health unit for support. She also refused to let him visit or call.

This obviously made him furious and he decided there was only one way he could get her back under his thrall – hurt Piper.

Fans were aghast – far more so than over anything he’d done to Belle – as he injected Piper with medication that made it seem like she was very sick. When Lydia saw the poor pup, she revealed to Belle that it didn’t look like Piper would pull through.

Belle, of course, immediately checked herself out of hospital then rushed home to find Piper had miraculously made a full recovery. Tom then manipulated Belle into believing it was due to her absence that Piper was so sick and now she was home, the dog felt better.

He is EVIL.

Tom with a syringe — Even the look on his face is evil (Credit: ITV)

Emmerdale fans complained in their hundreds

The scenes saw more than 850 horrified fans complain about the storyline’s dark twist. However the soap used their social media to assure viewers that Minnie, who plays Piper, was fit and well!

And the complaints haven’t been enough of a warning for show bosses to back off Piper as producer Laura Shaw has said the pooch is still in the firing line.

“Piper will definitely have a future role in the story,” Laura has warned when speaking to Entertainment Daily! and other media.

“It’s research-led,” she explained. “One of the things that we’ve found was that that is what abusers use. They will use family pets, people that you love, they will use them as weapons against you. So, this is all based on research. I promise you it’s not just us being mean to the dog for the sake of it.”

Doesn’t make it okay though! Poor Piper.