Viewers of the ITV soap have been warned about the show’s upcoming scenes as Tom’s next move has been confirmed

Emmerdale fans have been warned about the show’s upcoming scenes as Tom King’s ‘horrifying’ next move has been confirmed. There have been hard-to-watch scenes in the ITV soap as Tom coercively controls and abuses his new wife.

Signs that Tom wasn’t to be trusted were evident shortly after he rekindled his relationship with Belle after several years away from the village. But it was after they tied the knot earlier this year that Tom’s behaviour escalated with him tracking her phone, setting up a ‘puppy cam’ in the house and trying to jeopardise her new job at Take A Vow.

Tom also physically hurt Belle, causing her to think her mental health was in decline and forced her into a facility. He then made their dog Piper unwell, in a bid to force her to return home, where he continues to isolate her from her family and friends.

But things came to a dramatic head last month when Belle seemingly escaped her husband Tom once and for all after a horror trip to Wales. She has since told Tom their relationship is over but he’s not letting it go, having secretly got a key cut to their former home and has installed more cameras to keep an eye on his estanged wife.

But the vet’s manipulative behaviour takes a further sinister twist when it becomes clear he’s intent on harming pet dog Piper to exert control over Belle.

Tom, played by James Chase, is seen deliberately revving his car in the direction of the beloved animal. “Tom is well aware of the control he can exert by using his dog in his abuse of Belle,” James explained.

“This deliberate act, although horrifying, is Tom’s way of getting back in Belle’s life. He knows her reaction to Piper being injured will mean he can then be the one to comfort her and get close to her again. It’s a desperate act, but Tom is clutching at anything at this time.”

The Emmerdale team have been working closely with the charities Refuge and The Dogs Trust regarding this storyline. In 2019, research by the Dogs Trust found that pets are often abused and, in some cases, killed by the perpetrator of domestic abuse in order to control and coerce.

“In addition to the physical abuse that pets may suffer, 97% of professionals working in the domestic abuse sector also said that animals are often used as a means of controlling someone experiencing domestic abuse.

Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw commented: “Working with the charities and hearing first-hand stories from domestic abuse survivors it’s clearly all too common that domestic abusers will use the family pet as a weapon. In upcoming scenes Viewers will see Tom go to desperate measures to try and keep control of his imploding marriage to Belle, which puts Piper in great jeopardy. Could this terrible act be the motivation that finally urges Belle to report her husband as an abuser?”

Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust, also said: “The recent storyline involving Belle, Tom and Piper is incredibly distressing, but sadly it is reflective of what we too often see through our work.

“Those we support share their stories of the many ways that perpetrators use pets to coerce, control, physically harm and threaten within abusive relationships. We’ve heard of perpetrators not letting survivors walk their dogs alone, stopping them from accessing vet care for their dogs or being able to spend money on dog food, and even repeatedly threatening to harm or kill their dogs. This is incredibly frightening, and leaves people feeling very isolated.

“Sometimes, perpetrators will even buy their partner a pet with the purpose of using it as a means by which to control and entrap them, preying on the strong bonds people have with their beloved pets.

“We know that people often delay fleeing abusive situations as they are fearful of what may happen to their pets if left behind, and unfortunately, many refuges are unable to accept pets. This is where our Freedom team steps in to provides a vital lifeline, offering a safe and secure foster home for dogs until their owners have found somewhere safe to live. Unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in demand for our service, so it’s more important than ever that we are there to support anyone experiencing domestic abuse who needs to flee to safety with their pet.”

Emmerdale has reminded viewers that no dog was harmed in the making of these scenes and viewers can watch a behind the scenes of all these scenes next Monday, August 19, on Emmerdale’s social channels.