Emmerdale fans have threatened to complain about the ITV soap to Ofcom over distressing scenes featuring a grieving Vinny during Wednesday night's episode.
Vinny, played by Bradley Johnson has been left dealing with the aftermath of his wife, Liv Flaherty's, tragic death when she was crushed by a caravan in the deadly storm during the soap's 50th anniversary week.
Last night's episode saw Vinny's mum Mandy, played by Lisa Riley, become increasingly concerned about her heart-broken son. She turned to Paddy (Dominic Brunt) in hopes that he could help, The Mirror reports.
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A worried Mandy told Paddy of her concerns and the local vet came up with an idea that he thought might help. Later, viewers saw Mandy turn up at Vinny's with Chip, the dog that Vinny and Liv had been hoping to adopt together.
While Vinny was initially angry Chip stayed by his side and eventually Vinny agreed that he would take the dog for a walk. But it soon took a turn as an emotional Vinny became agitated by Chip and threw a ball into the trees, telling the dog to go after it.
Viewers saw Vinny leaving Chip in the middle of the woods alone, prompting a number of fans to take to Twitter to condemn what they saw as ‘cruelty’ towards animals.
One fan wrote: “If Chip gets run over, I'm writing to Ofcom. Emmerdale writers can kill off characters...but innocent animals - NO! Too much!”
“Vinny is abandoning a dog on Emmerdale Wish I could reach in to the TV and give Vinny a good shake,” a second added. “I know Vinny is hurting but you cannot leave the dog on it’s own that’s just cruel,” a third wrote as another added: “I know he’s grieving but he can’t just leave the poor dog like that…”
Another fan wrote: “I don’t like the way Vinny is treating this lovely dog. I get he’s grieving but I’m an animal lover.”
However, in scenes later in Wednesday’s episode, Vinny was seen returning to the village, when he came across Chip wondering with something in her mouth.
Vinny bent down and discovered it was a Polaroid photo of himself and Liv which he had apparently dropped in the woods. The touching moment reduced Vinny to tears as he crouched next to a waiting Chip, leaving fans at home emotional.
One wrote: “The dog the star of the show tonight. Was worried was gonna be left missing glad found its way back awwww.”
Another added: “Chip the dog is already my favourite character and I will protect him at all costs,” as another chimed: “Obsessed with the acting dog, the soap award is pending.”
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