Emmerdale slapped with Ofcom complaints over ‘vile’ Tom King scenes as soap issues warning
Emmerdale viewers were left seething after Tom King inflicted cruel abuse on his and Belle's pet dog Piper.
Emmerdale has been hit with Ofcom complaints after Tom King abused his dog, Piper.
Viewers of the ITV soap turned to the broadcasting regulator after the harrowing scenes saw Tom (played by James Chase) inject Piper with a substance which made her unable to move.
This was yet another example of Tom’s coercive behaviour as he attempted to regain control over his wife, Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper). After Tom made Belle believe her mental health was relapsing, she chose to be readmitted to a psychiatric unit.
Tom’s plan backfired when Belle refused to let him see her, instead choosing Lydia (Karen Blick) to visit her instead. In a bid to get closer to Belle, Tom injected their dog to make her appear severely unwell.
Tom injected Piper with a substance that left her unable to move (Image: ITV)
After informing his colleagues at the vet surgery, Tom put a call in to Lydia and claimed Piper might not have long left to live.
Playing the role of the heartbroken owner, Tom reminded Lydia how much Belle loved Piper, leading her to suggest telling Belle what had happened when she visited her later that day.
Belle sat down with her psychiatrist later in the episode, where it looked as though she was making progress. But Lydia interrupted the session and delivered the upsetting news about Piper, leaving Belle devastated.
Viewers branded the scenes “distressing” as they took to social media to share their complaints. One fumed: “I have just reported tonight’s show to Ofcom. It took me a couple of minutes only. The more people that report it the better.”
Belle was devastated when she discovered what happened to Piper (Image: ITV)
Another agreed: “Nah I’m sorry but I draw the line at animal abuse. Terrible. A new low for this show.” A third said: “This has gone too far now. I’m a huge Emmerdale fan but disgusted at this, it’s vile.”
Someone else weighed in: “No I’m sorry! But this is too much now, I understand these storylines are for awareness but this storyline needs to end now, I refuse to watch anymore until Tom is gone!”
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm ITV and ITVX.