Emmerdale fans utterly bereft as show airs ‘saddest storyline in years’

The poorly pup was put to sleep (Picture: ITV) Why do animal deaths in soaps hit us so hard? Perhaps it’s because in villages and streets where murder, affairs and family feuds happen all the time, the animals are often the innocent constants. They don’t create the drama, they provide comfort to the people caught up in it. This is exactly why scenes involving Monty the dog in Emmerdale have been so difficult to watch. The lovely pooch was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago and, in today’s episode, it was time to say goodbye. At Wishing Well, the family made the decision that Cain would take Monty to the vets alone, which left Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick), Sam (James Hooton), Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) and Kammy Hadiq (Shebz Miah) in charge of supporting Kyle and Isaac (Huey Quinn and Bobby Dunsmuir). In the vets, Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) explained to Cain that she’d give Monty some medication that would ultimately send him into a very deep sleep. It was gentle, peaceful, but utterly devastating at the same time. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Monty was diagnosed with cancer (Picture: ITV) Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Kyle and Isaac eventually made their way to the vets to see their dad, noting that he shouldn’t be on his own at this time. As Cain carried Monty out of the vets and into the car, he was touched when Lydia, Sam and Kammy joined him. The Dingle family have faced an incredible amount of loss over the years, but they always find strength in each other when saying goodbye to someone they love. As Monty’s final chapter ends, a number of Emmerdale fans have taken to social media platform X to express their heartbreak over the pup’s last story. J said: ‘When Monty gave Cain his paw I was BROKEN. Sobbed like a baby. Dogs really are the most precious souls.’ Emotional, Laura put: ‘Cain and Monty though’ with a heartbroken emoji and a crying one. This fan summed things up perfectly and said: ‘Monty dying is the saddest storyline Emmerdale has had in years.’ Monty dying is the saddest storyline Emmerdale has had in years. @emmerdale— Alun🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (@PolariChat) August 4, 2026 Sharing her own experience with pet grief, Charlotte penned: ‘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.’ 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💔 pic.twitter.com/FS9EDkJHHe— charlotte (@alwaysrobron) August 5, 2026 Monty’s funeral will air tomorrow (Picture: ITV) In tomorrow’s episode, Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) will return from visiting Nana Barton as she joins the Dingles for Monty’s funeral. Deals of the Day Parents can save up to 30% on Kickers school shoes ahead of the new term The back-to-school hack that's helping parents avoid queues and sold-out sizes Could your hair be wavy rather than straight? This brand thinks so Could your star sign improve your skincare routine? This new beauty launch thinks so Best skincare for menopausal skin? This dermatologist-created treatment is tailored to you Cain’s eulogy for Monty is – unsurprisingly – very emotional, and unites the family in grief, love, and hope. Arrow MORE: Cain broken over sad news in new Emmerdale spoiler video as devastating death looms Arrow MORE: More scheduling chaos as Coronation Street and Emmerdale to be taken off air again Arrow MORE: All Emmerdale spoilers for next week with Dingles blown apart by more tragedy The Soaps Newsletter – Weekly Sign up for exclusive spoilers and interviews, handpicked by our Soaps Editor.