In a plot twist that’s sure to have Emmerdale fans reeling, it turns out that

Belle Dingle’s beloved dog Piper isn’t quite the goner her twisted hubby Tom

made her out to be. The bombshell was dropped in Wednesday’s episode

(August 21), where Tom King, played by actor James Chase, chillingly passed Piper onto another couple under the guise they were giving the canine a new lease of life. However, what they didn’t know was that they were essentially dog-napping from poor Belle (Eden Taylor Draper), who’s none the wiser that Piper is very much still alive. The soap’s avid watchers were locked to their screens as vile Tom made Piper the latest pawn in his sick bid to control Belle. It all looked dire for our four-legged friend back on Monday’s tearjerker (August 19) when a traffic mishap left poor Piper hanging by a thread, and Tom, alongside Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry), struggling to patch her up, reports the Express.

Belle was on tenterhooks, hoping to be there for Piper, only for Tom to drop the bomb that their pooch had kicked died. The Dingle stalwart sobbed her farewells to Piper, while the vet prepped what looked like the last shot the dog would ever receive, reports the Manchester Evening News. However, Belle has smelt a rat and believes Tom’s “accident” might’ve been a bit more than chance, and is putting two and two together about his nasty streak. Things escalated to a downright frosty showdown as Tom menacingly cornered Belle, even trying to convince her she’d dreamt up all the abuse. Despite all odds, Belle remains steadfast, confronting Tom as she turns to the police for assistance, and utilises Clare’s Law to uncover if Tom harbours a history marred by domestic abuse. Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7.30pm on ITV.