Emmerdale fans were left bereft as beloved dog Monty was put to sleep in today's episode, following his cancer diagnosis weeks earlier. The heartbreaking scenes at the vets saw Cain Dingle make the difficult decision to say goodbye, with the family rallying around him.
Monty's final moments
At Wishing Well, the Dingle family decided that Cain would take Monty to the vets alone, leaving Lydia, Sam, Belle, and Kammy to support Kyle and Isaac. At the vets, Rhona Goskirk explained to Cain that she would give Monty medication to send him into a deep sleep. The scene was gentle and peaceful, but utterly devastating.
Kyle and Isaac soon joined their dad at the vets, insisting he shouldn't be alone. As Cain carried Monty out to the car, he was touched when Lydia, Sam, and Kammy arrived to support him. The Dingle family have faced immense loss over the years, but they always find strength in each other when saying goodbye to someone they love.
Fans react with heartbreak
Following the episode, fans took to social media to express their grief. One fan wrote: 'When Monty gave Cain his paw I was BROKEN. Sobbed like a baby. Dogs really are the most precious souls.' Another said: 'Monty dying is the saddest storyline Emmerdale has had in years.'
One fan shared her own experience with pet grief, saying: 'Don't think I can bring myself to watch tonight's Emmerdale, I've experienced something similar with previous pets and it's something you never heal from. Goodbye Monty, you're safe with Zak and Lisa now.'
What's next for the Dingles?
In tomorrow's episode, Moira Dingle returns from visiting Nana Barton to join the family for Monty's funeral. Cain's eulogy for Monty is expected to be very emotional, uniting the family in grief, love, and hope.
