Emmerdale has unveiled a gut-wrenching twist as Piper, Belle’s beloved

dog, meets a tragic end. Last week’s episodes revealed that Tom deliberately

ran over Piper with his car, then deceitfully told Belle that he had found

the injured dog on the road. This cruel act was part of Tom’s ongoing manipulation to elicit sympathy from Belle and make himself appear as the caring savior.

In the episode airing on August 19th, Belle was left powerless as Tom and Rona rushed Piper into emergency surgery in a desperate attempt to save her. Despite their efforts, Belle faced the heart-wrenching moment of saying goodbye to her loyal companion when Tom, feigning sorrow, announced that Piper’s injuries were too severe to recover from.

Tom’s facade of empathy fell apart when he made a slip, suggesting that Belle needed his support following Piper’s death. This inadvertently led Belle to realize the horrifying truth—Tom was responsible for the accident. She recalled that Piper had been mysteriously ill months prior, coinciding with Tom’s unexplained absence.

In a dramatic confrontation, Belle publicly accused Tom of killing Piper in front of his boss. Although Rona defended Tom, insisting it was an unfortunate accident, Belle remained resolute in her condemnation. She warned Tom that she would never forgive him for what he had done.

Later, Tom attempted to shift blame, claiming Belle’s accusations stemmed from her medication issues. However, Belle rejected his excuses and declared that she no longer loved him, ordering him to leave. Tom’s menacing response, threatening Belle, only deepened the tragedy of the situation.

This storyline, developed in collaboration with charities Refuge and the Dogs Trust, highlights how abusers can use pets as tools of control and manipulation in abusive relationships.