Thai TV show makers accused of abusing cat seen writhing in pain in a scene
Cat on Thai TV show
A high-profile television drama in Thailand is being accused of potentially abusing animals following a scene showing a cat convulsing on the ground. The cat was seen suffering and writhing on the floor in the Thai drama The Empress of Ayodhaya.
Controversy erupted after a scene showed a woman giving tea to her cat to check whether it had been spiked. The cat soon starts purring and convulsing on the ground and dies. This led people to think that something was done to the cat, triggering outrage against the show on social media.
Viewers raised concern about it, asking how the cat was acting so convincingly. Some people suggested that the cat was potentially mistreated. The show's makers quickly worked to reassure the audience that the animal was not mistreated in any way. However, a boycott campaign against the show is attracting attention on social media. Allegations of the abuse are being probed by concerned officials.
The show is inspired by the story of a 16th-century Siamese queen.
The show’s director, Sant Srikaenlaw and Thai television channel One31 said that for the scene, the cat was administered anaesthesia under expert supervision.
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Makers threatened with action
In an effort to quell the anger, Sant told people that the cat was conscious and promised to get its health checked. The producers also posted pictures and videos of the cat to show that it was perfectly healthy.
The anger has led to several groups getting involved. Thailand’s Livestock Department said that it was investigating allegations of animal cruelty and would need to examine the cat to be sure that no harm was inflicted.
The Veterinary Council of Thailand also warned of action, saying that sedating animals could prove to be dangerous.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) condemned the anesthetising of the cat in a statement on Monday. "If you can’t make a TV show without risking the lives of animals, you’re in the wrong business," it said in the statement.