Those who tuned in to watch new British crime thriller Protection were aghast at the killing of an animal on the show.
Airing in the UK on Sunday (March 16) after it was shown in US and Canada back in December, the series explores the world of witness protection in the UK from the point of view of a police officer, played by Happy Valley star Siobhan Finneran.
The opening episode featured a disturbing scene where a dog is shot dead and the body is shown on screen. Animal-loving viewers were taken aback by the decision not only to have the animal die but to show it as well, posting their displeasure on X (formerly Twitter).
“If that dog gets hurt I’m done before we even start” one said, before replying to their own tweet with: “Yup I’m done!!!! They’ve killed the dog!”
Yup I’m done!!!! They’ve killed the dog! #Protection
— Vicky 💙 (@deadstar37) March 16, 2025
“Fuck off showing us the dead dog” and “Not the fucking dog, evil bastards” were some of the more visceral reactions, while some said the decision moved against the tradition of storytelling.
Fuck off showing us the dead dog #Protection
— Jamie Summers (@iamjamietv) March 16, 2025
Not the fucking dog, evil bastards.
— David Joseph Lawton (@DavidJosephLaw2) March 16, 2025
“I’m not sure I can get over that and watch the rest. Never kill the dog!” said one, while another added: “Rule 1) The dog must never die Rule 2) If you fail to adhere to Rule 1 you certainly don’t make it worse by showing the dead dog”.
Just watched @ITV #Protection with the amazing @SFinneranTV…….. however, they killed the dog in the first 30 mins…..
Why? I’m not sure I can get over that and watch the rest.
Never kill the dog!— Debbs (@uptnorthbird) March 17, 2025
I was looking forward to this but you had to ruin it 😞. Rule 1) The dog must never die Rule 2) If you fail to adhere to Rule 1 you certainly don’t make it worse by showing the dead dog. #Protection
— GillP (@GP98765432) March 16, 2025
One watcher saw the funny side, saying: “Why kill the dog? Whats he gonna do? Talk to the police??”; while another mused: “People care more about a dog, than the other 2 humans. Crazy!”
Why kill the dog? Whats he gonna do? Talk to the police?? #protection
— This Is Me 🇬🇧 ⚘️ (@pearlsgirl73) March 16, 2025
People care more about a dog, than the other 2 humans. Crazy! #Protection
— MR GAVIN MICHAEL GREAVES ESQ ⭐ IFB ALL LFC ❤💙 (@realgmg67) March 16, 2025
The six-part series drew from first-hand accounts by a 30-year veteran of witness protection specialist for the Metropolitan Police in which they handled cases including police informants, war criminals, and terrorists.
Late last year, another ITV crime series made headlines when it proved to be popular on Netflix ahead of more recent thrillers. 2021 crime miniseries The Pembrokeshire Murders reached number one on the streamer’s UK chart in December, ahead of the show The Madness with Oscar nominee Colman Domingo.
