Coronation Street confirms puppy farm storyline as show works with RSPCA

Evelyn confronted Terry tonight (Picture: ITV)

Coronation Street is currently working alongside the RSPCA in a storyline with Evelyn Plummer (Maureen Lipman), who comes across a man running a puppy farm.

In tonight’s (December 6) episode of the ITV soap, Evelyn confronted a man who was mistreating his dog while on the cobbles.

After reporting him to the police, Evelyn will come across Terry again and puts herself in danger as she attempts to tackle the situation.

Over the next few weeks, Evelyn and Cassie (Claire Sweeney) will discover Terry is breeding and selling puppies out of a puppy farm at his home.

But will they be able to bring him to justice?

To ensure the accuracy of this storyline, Coronation Street is working with the RSPCA.

Their inspector and performing animal welfare expert, Herchy Boal, was on set at all times to keep an eye on the welfare of the dogs being used for filming.

Show boss Iain MacLeod said: ‘It was hugely important to us to work with the RSPCA on this storyline, both in terms of the accuracy of the on-screen narrative and also the welfare of the animals on set during filming. It is a really important story to tell, but it was also vital to make sure it was fun for the actors’ canine co-stars – and as all our behind-the-scenes footage shows, it certainly was!’

Herchy Boal was on set at all times (Picture: ITV)

Herchy Boal explained: ‘Sadly, our frontline officers too often see the negative impact that illicit puppy breeding can have on animal welfare. Too often, unscrupulous breeders disregard the welfare of pups all to make a quick grubby buck – and dogs pay the price.

‘That’s why it’s so important that Coronation Street has focussed on this important storyline – demonstrating the lengths underground breeders can go to make money, and the impact on the dogs and owners involved. It’s all the more vital to raise awareness of this ahead of Christmas – when many people might be considering adding a pet to the family.’

Herchy discusses the risks and dangers that come with puppy farms (Picture: ITV)

Herchy added: ‘The team at Coronation Street were fantastic – showing great patience, listening to our advice and always putting the welfare of the puppies first – even pausing filming for long periods whenever the pups needed a nap!

‘As this storyline airs, we’d always urge anyone who has done the research and is thinking of adding a pet to the family to choose adoption. There’s so many animals in our centres looking for a chance of forever home happiness. But for those wanting to buy a puppy, the Puppy Contract is a great tool to help spot rogue dealers and contains a checklist to make sure a breeder is doing the right things.

‘Christmas is a really tough time for animals and with the cost of living crisis continuing to bite, too many animals face a bleak winter. As the RSPCA works tirelessly to bring animals to safety, we need our supporters to Join the Christmas Rescue, so we can raise funds and come together for the animals who need us.’

Also commenting on this storyline was Dr Ros Clubb, who said: ‘It’s been fantastic for the RSPCA to be involved in this important Corrie storyline. Our performing animals team not only helps with the realism of animal storylines, but crucially advises on how to best protect the welfare of animals used on set – and we were delighted to work closely with ITV to ensure this.

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‘We are proud to have a dedicated team leading on this work, supporting producers and helping to keep animals safe.

‘It was so important to deliver this storyline in a welfare-friendly way, which we hope will highlight to a mass audience the risks to animal welfare of elicit, underground puppy breeding – and the actions owners can take to ensure that if adding a pet to the family, they do so in a responsible way.’

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Evelyn faces Terry, a man running a puppy farm from his home.