11 Iconic Emmerdale pets – loyal canines, a crazy cockatoo and a killer horse!

The pets in Emmerdale are as loved as the characters who own them.

Earlier this year, fans were outraged over Tom King’s cruel treatment towards Belle’s beloved dog, Piper. But it’s not just little Piper who the viewers have taken into their hearts.

From canines to cockatoos, here’s a look at the most memorable stars of the Emmerdale animal cast…

Emmerdale pets: Piper – Belle and Tom King’s dog

Fan favourite Piper is still very much on our minds, so it’s only correct she features first. The adorable pooch was adopted by vet Tom King in March 2024, who then gave her as a present to his wife, Belle.

Belle absolutely doted on her new pet, but Tom grew jealous and decided to use Piper as a pawn in his wicked manipulation. When Belle walked out on him, Tom drugged Piper to bring her back. But the lowest of the low came when Tom deliberately hit Piper with his car and claimed he’d been unable to save her.

Fans watched on in horror as Tom made Belle believe Piper had died. He even orchestrated a fake burial and watched on as Belle grieved for her lost friend.

Piper’s true fate was revealed a few days later when Tom re-homed Piper with a couple, who had been led to believe that Belle was abusing her. So now we know Piper is alive and well, we’re hoping one day she and Belle will be reunited.

Alfie – the Dingles’ dog

Wolfhound Alfie was the Dingle family’s loyal companion for 15 years.

He was born in 2002 and came to live with the iconic Emmerdale clan the same year. But much like his owners, Alfie’s life was full of drama.

In 2010, he survived a poisoning after chemicals seeped into land near Wishing Well. Then later that year, Alfie was out walking in Home Farm woods when he sniffed out Mark Wylde’s decomposing corpse.

Tragedy struck in May 2017 when Alfie’s master Zak Dingle accidentally ran him over while fleeing from a mob of angry vegans. Alfie underwent emergency surgery and pulled through, but was then diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.

Realising his mutt didn’t have long left, Zak agreed it would be kinder to put Alfie out of his pain. Paddy administered a lethal injection and Alfie slipped away, with Zak by his side.

The acting dog, whose real name is also Alfie, was owned by Lynda Woodrow, and retired at her request in the show’s 8007th episode.

Monty – the Dingles’ dog

Alfie’s replacement was Monty – who looked like an exact clone of his predecessor.

Monty’s first on-screen appearance was on August 9, 2018 and he’s been part of the family ever since.

Perhaps Monty’s most memorable moment was one the saddest days in Dingle history. On May 23, 2019, matriarch Lisa died just hours after her emotional wedding to Zak. He discovered his bride had peacefully slipped away at home, and Monty was by her side.

Fans praised the pooch for his performance in the tear-jerking scenes and said he deserved an Oscar. His little forlorn expression was definitely worthy of all the awards!

Emmerdale pets: Steve – Lydia Dingle’s cockatoo

Steve was a depressed cockatoo who was an ‘unfriendly so and so who often bit people.’ But that didn’t stop Lydia Dingle from loving him.

The pet bird was certainly a character, and he met an  unfortunate end when he escaped from his cage and flew into a power line.

Lydia was devastated by Steve’s death and had him stuffed by a taxidermist. Lydia took Steve with her when she moved into Mulberry Cottage in 2017 – much to Laurel Thomas’s horror!

Stuffed Steve hasn’t been seen since, but don’t worry he’s still around. Lydia confirmed this while she was comforting Belle over the ‘death’ of Piper, saying she could still see Steve whenever she wanted.

Let’s just hope we don’t have to.

Batley – Edna Birch’s dog

Acerbic Edna didn’t have a lot of time for humans, but she sure loved her fur babies. Edna’s first four-legged friend was a cute Yorkshire terrier called Batley, who she had from a pup.

Wherever Edna went, Batley followed, and viewers adored him. They were outraged when Edna’s spiteful granddaughter Eve Jenson deliberately kicked Batley, causing him to fall ill.

Sadly, local vet Paddy Kirk was unable to save Batley and on February 11, 2002, Edna made the difficult decision to put him to sleep. He passed away peacefully in Edna’s arms, resting his paw on her.

Those devastating scenes resonated with fans, and Batley (whose real-life name was Bracken) was voted Best Exit at the 2002 British Soap Awards.

Batley’s name was last mentioned by Faith Dingle back in 2017, when she was ‘connecting with the spirits’.

Tootsie – Edna Birch’s dog

Tootsie came into Edna’s life when she was still grieving the loss of Batley. She was in need of a home after her previous owner had passed away, so Edna decided to adopt her.

Tootsie had an eventful time in Emmerdale. In 2007 she ran off while out on a walk with Edna’s friend Pearl Ladderbanks and had an encounter with another dog. Two months later, Tootsie gave birth to two puppies, which came as a shock to Edna, who didn’t even realise her pooch was pregnant.

The original acting dog Sky passed away in 2008, and was replaced by another dog called Dusty.

In 2012, Tootsie was diagnosed with cancer after it was discovered on her spleen. She underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and went on to make a full recovery.

But four years later, Tootsie was left without a mistress after Edna died following a short battle with ovarian cancer. She was temporarily cared for by Edna’s friend, Harriet Finch, but after that no one knows what happened to Tootsie.

Hamish – Belle Dingle’s Shetland pony

Hamish was Belle’s treasured Shetland pony, that was gifted to her on her fourth birthday. He lived in a stable at Wishing Well and was part of the Dingle family.

Belle loved her pony and had 13 happy years with him, but in July 2015 Zak realised there was something wrong with Hamish.

He rung Paddy to come and investigate, and the vet confirmed Hamish was suffering from colic. A few days later, he put to sleep with Belle by his side.

Emmerdale pets: Dark Star – Kim Tate’s horse

Horse-lover Kim Tate’s mighty stallion Dark Star was one of her favourites.

Dark Star was Kim’s show horse, and they used to compete together in show jumping events. But tragedy struck in June 1992. Kim was pregnant with husband Frank Tate’s baby, and fell off Dark Star, which caused her to miscarry.

The next year, Dark Star was killed when a plane crashed into Emmerdale village.

Daisy – Marlon Dingle’s dog

Marlon originally bought Dalmatian Daisy as a gift for his first wife, Tricia.

After Tricia’s sad death in January 2004, Daisy stayed living with Marlon. She had a brush with death in 2012 after being knocked over by local vicar Ashley Thomas’s car. Daisy was injured, but thanks to the help of Paddy, she survived.

Daisy met a sad and shocking end in May 2015 when Marlon’s third missus, Laurel, ran her over when she was drunk. The tragic dog died by the side of the road. Laurel tried to bury her body to cover up her involvement, but was caught in the act by Cain.

Ice – Kim Tate’s horse

Kim Tate’s magnificent white horse Ice has gone down in Emmerdale history as the soaps’ first pet to commit murder.

When Lydia Dingle’s evil rapist Craig was found dead in the middle of a field the finger of suspicion fell on just about every member of the Dingle clan. But no one could have guessed who the true killer was.

It turned out Craig had been kicked to death by Ice after he spooked the creature. Never underestimate the power of those hooves!

Kim observed the whole thing and was persuaded by Cain to ride off on Ice instead of ringing for an ambulance. So you could kind of say she and Ice were in it together.

Emmerdale pets: Minty – Isaac Dingle’s lamb

Oh sweet little Minty stole our hearts. And Isaac Dingle‘s.

Minty the runt of a litter of lambs who Isaac grew attached to. Moira warned her son it wasn’t likely Minty would survive, but Isaac managed to persuade Cain to let him keep him as a pet.

Isaac absolutely doted on Minty and was beside himself when the lamb went missing at the 2024 summer fete. After bringing the whole village together for a frantic search, Kim Tate discovered Minty hiding out in a barn.

He was returned to Isaac’s care, but his happiness was short-lived when Minty passed away. Isaac found his body at Butlers and accused his parents of murder. But that wasn’t the case, Minty had just died of natural causes.

Read more: Complete Emmerdale cast list for 2024

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

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