Emmerdale viewers are speculating that Tom King, played by James Chase, has a devious scheme in mind involving the much-loved canine, Piper.
The villainous character has been left shocked this week after his wife Belle Dingle, portrayed by Eden Taylor-Draper, ended their relationship. As followers of the soap will remember, Tom has been manipulating and lying to Belle for several months.
However, after an eventful trip to Wales, Belle managed to break free and upon her return to the Dales, she informed him that their marriage was over. Unaware of his true nature, the Kings have since taken Tom in.
In the meantime, Belle moved back into Dale Head after Tom claimed he had changed the locks. However, he neglected to tell her that he also had a key made for himself.
Once again standing her ground, Belle decided to leave the village this week for a break in Scotland, much to Tom's irritation. Belle travelled north to visit her father Zak, played by Steve Halliwell, and Debbie, portrayed by Charley Webb, reports the Manchester Evening News.
However, during Thursday's episode (August 1), Tom received a suspicious package and sneaked into Belle's home. He was later seen leaving with a huge grin on his face.
Now, with Belle's temporary departure from the village, fans are suspecting that Tom has something sinister in store for her - and it involves her dog, Piper.
On social media, fans have proposed a theory that Tom could exploit the fact that his name is registered on Piper's microchip to "force" Belle to return to him.
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One viewer speculated on a Reddit thread: "Has anyone else thought about that since Tom got Piper for Belle, he'd have had to had her microchip updated and no doubt he would have put it in his name.
"I can't help but think that he'll use this as another form of control over Belle since she's left him. If he reported Piper as stolen, she'd given back to him and then he'd use his custody of Piper to force Belle to come back to him :(."
Another user responded: "I suppose he could try to go from the "Belle isn't stable enough to look after her" angle? Although hopefully now the rest Dingles would see through that if he tried to."
A third chimed in: "He could also use Piper after he's exposed. To keep the control and abuse going by forcing her into unnecessary legal drama."
