ITV soap Emmerdale has sparked outrage in recent months with a storyline involving the abuse of a beloved pet dog, Piper.
However, many decided it was the final straw recently and have chosen to "boycott" the long-running soap over a distressing turn the plot took on Monday, with floods of viewers taking to social media to slam the storyline and vow not to watch future episodes.
The sickening plot involved evil character Tom King (James Chase) and Piper, the pet dog of his estranged wife Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper).
King was controlling and manipulative towards his ex and sometimes took to harming the poor animal in a sick attempt to hurt her.
The character decided to harm the dog once again recently in an attempt to insert himself back into his ex's life.
After he deliberately ran over Piper, viewers were left even more disturbed when he later administered a fatal injection to the pooch, prompting Dingle to bid a final and heartbreaking farewell to her dog.
Harrowing Emmerdale scenes saw Belle forced to bid farewell to her beloved dog
ITV
Responding to the brutal story, many took to social media to admit they would be taking a break from the soap.
On X, several were in agreement that the plot had gone too far, including one person who fumed: "I understand they want to highlight abuse, but they've involved Piper TOO MANY times now. We know it's not real, but it's hard enough to watch. The story should have been done when Belle came to her senses, this is becoming an animal abuse storyline #Emmerdale."
"I get that it's only a soap and ED are trying to portray the depths that Tom will go to in order to gain some control over Belle. However harming Pipper (an innocent dog) on purpose is a step too far," another argued.
A third asked: "Can Emmerdale sink any lower. This storyline needs to stop now. Nobody wants to watch a man abuse this wife and also abuse their dog. It's not good to watch. End it now please enough is enough."
Emmerdale fans have vowed to boycott the soap over the distressing dog storyline
ITV
"How sick, it's the thoughts of it not actually going anywhere near the dog as you said! Sick writers #emmerdale after years of loving your show this storyline has disgusted me," someone else shared.
"Emmerdale has took it way far with the tom and Belle storyline I know it's showing real events what can happen but involving a dog is too heartbreaking #Emmerdale," another distressed viewer wrote.
Someone else fumed: "If Piper really is dead then clearly the callous dimwits who write 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."
However, some defended the plot for bringing awareness to a real-life issue. According to The Mirror, one person penned: "All these comments are typical of what's wrong with society turning a blind eye to abuse.
"For all the people saying they are not watching well who cares. Those people can't possible begin to know what it's like to be in an abusive relationship or to go grow up in an abusive family. Well done Emmerdale for highlighting this taboo abuse." (sic)
Ahead of the harrowing scenes, Emmerdale bosses forewarned fans about the storyline in order to try and avoid the backlash it received: "Tom, played by James Chase, is seen deliberately revving his car in the direction of the beloved animal."
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Emmerdale fans were appalled as Tom King killed Belle's beloved dog, Piper
ITV
It continued: "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."
Meanwhile, a veterinary director at Dogs Trust, Paula Boyden, described the storyline as "incredibly distressing" but admitted it did reflect reality.
Speaking to The Mirror, she said: "The recent storyline involving Belle, Tom and Piper is incredibly distressing, but sadly it is reflective of what we too often see through our work."
