Piper the dog has been a central part of the heartbreaking abuse storyline on Emmerdale as Tom King targets his estranged wife Belle Dingle
Piper the dog has been a key part of the harrowing abuse storyline on Emmerdale.
Tom King has been gaslighting, mentally and physically abusing his wife Belle Dingle, leading to her breaking up with him. Despite them not being together, he has been trying to win her back with a string of grand gestures. However, tonight he is seen deliberately revving his car in the direction of little Piper, as a way of controlling Belle.
James Chase – who plays Tom – explained: “Tom is well aware of the control he can exert by using his dog in his abuse of Belle. 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.”
Emmerdale Producer Laura Shaw added: “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?”
Piper the dog is owned by Belle Dingle and Tom King and a fan favourite on the soap (Image: (Image: ITV))
Fans have been left fearful over Piper’s health multiple times, as before Tom had targeted the pooch by deliberately drugging Piper in a bid to try and get Belle back after she sent herself away to deal with her mental health.
As a vet, Tom initially brought Piper in as a way of keeping Belle close to him and in the house most of the time, but she ended up falling for the little pooch and soon, she was just as happy to have the dog as Tom was.
Will Piper be ok – or has Tom’s violent abuse caused the tragic end of a life? We are yet to find out Piper’s fate but fans will no doubt be hoping the little pooch will be ok. Emmerdale have reiterated that no dog was harmed in the making of these scenes.
