Pets figure so little in Soapland you'd almost think they were an endangered species. And judging by the fate of the few who have appeared, it would seem they have every right to be afraid.

Presenter Graham Norton was moved to tears when the award was announced. But actors Martin Kemp and Amanda Barrie could only look on in disbelief as their explosive departures from their soaps were overlooked in favour of a dead dog.

The 2002 British Soap Awards saw Batley the Yorkshire terrier walk off with the award for "best exit".

The canine star's death scene in Emmerdale beat Kemp's departure as EastEnders' Steve Owen in a blazing car wreck and Barrie's Alma dying of cervical cancer in Coronation Street.

The moment that touched the judges' hearts came as owner Edna Birch said farewell to her sick terrier, which had to be put down after being diagnosed with a cyst. "Goodnight precious, you just go to sleep now," said Edna, as viewers reached for their hankies.

Actress Shirley Stelfox, who plays Edna, put the whole thing in perspective by saying: "She is a very clever girl because she was playing a boy, you know".

Batley - who won best in breed at the 1998 Hotten Show - was actually Bracken. Her owner Ivy Cullingworth told her local paper: "Every since that final show went out I have received so many letters from people. I've even had phone calls from Ireland congratulating Bracken on her performance."

Batley is one of the exceptions because pets don't often win prizes in Soapland. They're a disappearing breed - endangered species, you might say - whose appearances are few and far between. A true case of auf wiedersehen, pet.

This is particularly odd in a soap like Emmerdale, which is set in Yorkshire farming country. These days the only place you're likely to see sheep is in the credits. Gone are the days when Mrs Bates's hound Bundle was shot for sheep worrying. Farming takes a back seat to adultery, robbery, cheating, thieving and murder.

Horse-riding Sadie, carrying on an equestrian tradition started by Kim Tate, did have her dog die on her this week. Now another of soap's most lovable characters is under threat - and under a bus - in Coronation Street next week.

Schmeichel the Great Dane very nearly goes to the dogs when he's hit by a vehicle driven by Claire Peacock as she swerves to avoid a toddler. He's rushed to the vet's, leaving owner Chesney (played by award-winning young actor Sam Aston) in tears at the prospect of losing his beloved dog.

Coming in the same week that Jack Duckworth has to chose between his pigeons or his wife Vera (I know which I would choose - the one with the feathers), you could be excused for thinking that soaps are taking more notice of animals.

The truth is that very few animals go down in the pages of soap history. The cat seen in the opening credits of Coronation Street is familiar enough but has probably had less publicity than Mrs Slocombe's pussy in Are You Being Served?

Older viewers might just remember Minnie Caldwell's cat Bobby or Hilda Ogden's moggy Rommel. I really can't recall Betty's ginger cat called Marmaduke, although some suspect its disappearance might be connected with her famous hotpot.

For a long time Weatherfield's wildlife extended no further than the flying ducks on Hilda's living room wall. Garage mechanic Tyrone has done his bit for animal rights. He had a greyhound called Monica and then climbed on a white horse in order to make a romantic proposal to Fiz.

The EastEnders of Walford like dogs, although it was difficult not to chuckle seeing Pauline with that dog attached to her arm, looking for all the world like a female version of Bob Carolgees and Spit the dog. Ethel, of course, had her little Willie. Robbie had Wellard, a German shepherd he took in after discovering it hanging around the Square. Wellard was so popular with viewers he won the EastEnders' Best Ever Dog category in the soap awards.

Roly the white poodle was a fixture in the Queen Vic pub during Den and Angie's tenure. The dog was passed on to Pat and Frank, then Mo Butcher and finally Sharon and Grant.

It needed a cat's nine lives to survive its seven years in Albert Square. Rat poison almost killed it. Then it escaped from a car crash. And finally the poodle was almost burned alive, along with Sharon, when the Vic was set on fire in an insurance scam.

Some of the other pets from EastEnders are less well remembered. Who can recall Starsky and Hutch, Debbie and Andy's kittens? Or Crush the snake? Or Mandoo, Auntie Nellie's cat found dead under Joe Wick's bed? The feline was probably crushed to death when a pile of the lad's porn magazines fell on it.

Followers of Neighbours will surely recall lovable Bouncer, now resident in doggy heaven. In Crossroads, dim Benny had a goat called Starry. He also bought a donkey and named it Miss Diane in memory of his dead friend, a former waitress at the motel. What a nice gesture.

Occasionally, the animals fight - or even, bite - back. Back in 1989, Denis Rigg was gored to death by a bull in Emmerdale while trespassing on Home Farm land. He died in agony on top of a large pile of manure. And nobody thought to nominate him for a best exit award.

Published: 28/05/2005