CORONATION Street fans have raged at an animal cruelty scene that 'overstepped the mark'.
Monday's episode saw Roy Cropper's dog Freddie go missing while Sam took him out for a walk.
Roy is currently being held in prison over Lauren Bolton's disappearance and alleged murder, so his loved ones have been running the cafe and looking after Freddie in his absence.
But as Sam headed out, unbeknown to him, a sleuth watched from a table in the corner.
Later, a distraught Sam returned without Freddie and explained that he ran off.
The Weatherfield residents rallied together to try and find the adorable pooch.
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But in the cafe, Nina, Asha and Evelyn watched a video uploaded by the sleuths showing that they’ve taken Freddie hostage.
The trio gasped in horror as they saw Freddie trapped in a wooden crate pen.
In the video, the dognapper said they'd found him digging and added: "Was it for a bone? One of Lauren's bones maybe?
"We'll give him back when Cropper confesses."
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Freddie could then be heard whining, prompting Nina and Evelyn to cover their mouths and say: "Aww he's crying."
Coronation Street fans were just as upset, with one writing on X: "I wish they had posted a trigger warning before they showed that video of Freddie."
Another added: "Not having that… do what you like to a human, but leave the f***ing dog alone …. #Corrie. Free #Freddie Free #Roy.
Corrie has over stepped the mark here."
A third tweeted: "don't care what happens but leave poor Freddie out of it ...#Corrie #DontHurtFreddieTheDog."
Meanwhile a fourth shared: "Taking Freddie the dog hostage is so cruel that even the Joker from the Batman comics would frown and say its too much."
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Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.