The ITV soap aired chilling scenes on Monday as Tom King appeared to kill his wife’s dog as part of a domestic abuse storyline, but some viewers think all is not what it seems
Emmerdale viewers are convinced Piper is still alive as Tom King’s reign of terror against Belle Dingle continues. As fans of the ITV soap will know, abusive Tom (played by James Chase) deliberately ran over and injured his wife Belle’s beloved pooch to get at her.
He waited for Belle to leave The Woolpack to rush Piper into the vet surgery. He shouted to Belle that something was wrong with Piper as he wrapped the dog up in a blanket sparking complete panic.
The villain has spent months tormenting his wife Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) with violent outbursts, manipulation, and attempts to isolate her from her loved ones. Furious to realise he no longer had control over his beaten wife, Tom was desperate to get her needing him once more and used Piper in his sickening plan.
During Monday’s episode of the ITV soap (August 19), it appeared Piper’s fate was confirmed after Tom and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) worked all night to save the dog.
Belle rushed to the vet to be by Piper’s side but Tom told his estranged wife her dog wouldn’t make it.
In a chilling scene, Belle bids an emotional goodbye to her beloved pooch while Tom prepares a lethal injection. Belle left the room and waited outside while Tom fatally injected Piper causing her to pass away.
But following Piper’s senseless death, it’s clear Tom has been rumbled by Belle who sees through his act, and accuses him of causing her injuries.
As Tom tries his best to deny it, she tells him: “Oh my God it was you. It was you wasn’t it… you’ve killed her. You ran her over.”
A huge row between the two later kicked off with Tom making threats towards Belle as she confirmed their marriage was over.
But some Emmerdale fans are convinced Tom hasn’t actually killed Piper and is using the dog to torment Belle.
Taking to X, one viewer wrote: “If Piper really is dead then clearly who wrote this have never had a dog, or have any empathy for dog lovers. Completely unnecessary story amongst the drivel they have turned out lately #emmerdale.”
A second stated: “Stunning that #Emmerdale at 7:30 has just “shown” a dog being murdered. Even if Piper is probably still alive.”
A third exclaimed: “I don’t think he’s actually killed piper #emmerdale.”
“I’m still 90% sure Piper’s still alive, and we’ll see her in 5 minutes #Emmerdale,” added another.
Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
