Emmerdale complaints over Tom and Belle dog story top 1,000
Note: The following article discusses topics including domestic abuse, coercive control and animal cruelty.
Emmerdale spoilers follow.
Complaints to Ofcom over Emmerdale's dog abuse storyline have topped over 1,000.
The distressing scenes which recently aired come as part of Tom King's abuse storyline towards wife Belle Dingle, with Tom cruelly poisoning dog Piper to try and get Belle released from a mental health crisis centre.
However, the plot point has received a big backlash from viewers, with Emmerdale issuing a statement ensuring the welfare of dog actor Minnie, as well as 313 Ofcom complaints.
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The regulator has now revealed that the show received an additional 513 and 363 complaints over scenes airing on May 27 and May 28, taking the total to 1,189 complaints.
Ofcom states that the "inclusion or omission of a programme" on its list is "not indicative that Ofcom is investigating the broadcast", and that "the number of complaints received is not an indication of how serious an issue is".
Following the complaints about the poisoning of Piper, Emmerdale said on social media: "These scenes can be distressing to watch, but we want to remind you that Minnie (AKA Piper) is a very good actor and is always living her best life on set!
"We can confirm that no harm has come to her whatsoever."
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The abuse storyline has seen Tom alienating Belle from her family as he tries to make it seem like he is the victim, with his abusive behaviour escalating since the couple married earlier this year.
Belle actor Eden Taylor-Draper addressed the importance of the storyline back in February, saying: "When we first heard from the producers the way the Tom and Belle relationship story was going to go, we were fully aware of the responsibility that would bring.
"But it is an important story to tell. Soaps offer the viewer a glimpse of life behind closed doors and reveal what people present to the world isn't always a truth.
"The sad reality is that behaviour like this in a relationship is all too prevalent. I hope we do this story justice. And if people are in a situation like this they should definitely get help."
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
Read more Emmerdale spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, organisations including Refuge (www.refuge.org.uk), New Beginnings Peer Support (www.newbeginningspeersupport.com) and Women's Aid (www.womensaid.org.uk) can provide further support and information. The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247. The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text LOVEIS to 22522.
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