Emmerdale has moved to reassure worried fans following distressing scenes in which the Dingles' beloved dog Monty faced health complications after being trapped in a burning shed. The ITV soap released a behind-the-scenes video on social media showing how well looked after the cast's canine co-star is, revealing that a fake dog was used during the fire scenes.
Monty's Ordeal in the Fire
Recent episodes saw Kyle Winchester (Huey Quinn) turn to his favourite unhealthy coping mechanism, arson, after falling out with his father Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley). Unbeknownst to Kyle, Monty was inside the shed he set alight. Though Cain managed to rescue Monty from the blaze, vet Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) explained that the dog had suffered serious smoke inhalation. After further tests, Paddy broke the devastating news that Monty may have cancer.
Behind-the-Scenes Reassurance
Following the terrifying scenes, Emmerdale's official social media account posted a clip showing the care taken with the dog actor. 'We take care of our dogs… whether they're real or fake!' the account wrote in a comment beside the clip, which revealed the use of a fake dog for the fire shots. Fans were appreciative, with one commenting: 'What a gorgeous dog, plenty of treats for doing those scenes!' Another added: 'Love Monty,' while a third said: 'Aww Monty is lovely!'
Emmerdale's History with Dog Storylines
Emmerdale fans have proven to be big dog lovers, having taken both Monty and Belle Dingle's (Eden Taylor-Draper) pooch Piper into their hearts. In 2016, a dog-napping plot involving Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) and Ross Barton (Michael Parr) drew 448 complaints to Ofcom, with viewers fearing the story would encourage similar crimes in real life. However, Ofcom dropped the investigation, with a spokesperson explaining: 'We received a number of complaints about the risk that a storyline involving an attempted theft of a dog could encourage similar behaviour. We found that the scenes were not likely to condone or encourage people to attempt dog theft, taking into account the dramatic context and that the characters involved were clearly not role models. It was clear to viewers they were behaving in a morally questionable manner, and the attempt to capture a dog failed.'
Monty's Future on the Soap
While things look bleak for Monty in the ITV soap, the behind-the-scenes footage confirms the real dog is safe and well. The show continues to balance dramatic storytelling with careful treatment of its animal actors, ensuring fans can enjoy the drama without worrying about the welfare of the canine stars.
