A scene in a TV collection through which a black cat fell to the bottom and twitched brought about an uproar in Thailand.
Involved viewers of the Thai drama “Queen Ayodaya” have questioned what was carried out to the animal to make its efficiency so convincing, with some suggesting attainable mistreatment and abuse.
Whereas the present’s producers went to nice lengths to reassure viewers that the cat was secure, the boycott gained traction on social media.
Authorities stated they’re investigating allegations of animal cruelty.
On this controversial scene, a girl lets a cat drink her tea to see if it has been spiked. After some time, the cat lay on the bottom and rolled round purring till it died.
Social media customers, together with public figures, had been fast to precise their outrage on social media over the attainable mistreatment of the cat.
These issues now solid a pall over a movie billed as one of many largest Thai dramas of the 12 months.
“Queen Ayutthaya” is impressed by the story of the Queen of Siam within the sixteenth century and tells the story of the royal household’s tensions in the course of the Ayutthaya interval.
Thai TV channel One31 and the present’s director Sant Srikaenlaw stated the cat had been anesthetized beneath professional supervision. Sant added that the cat had regained consciousness and promised to take it for a well being check-up.
The present’s producers additionally launched photographs and movies of the cat to show it was secure and wholesome.
That did little to quell public anger.
Thailand’s Veterinary Council warned of the hazards of sedating animals and stated it could take motion within the case. In the meantime, Thailand’s animal husbandry division stated it had begun an investigation into the animal cruelty allegations, including that it had requested an examination of the cat to make sure it had not been harmed.
Folks for the Moral Therapy of Animals (PETA) issued a press release on Monday condemning the anesthesia of cats for leisure functions, calling it “reckless, harmful and merciless.”
“The general public is rightly outraged, particularly realizing that every little thing is feasible right now with computer-generated imagery, synthetic intelligence and animatronics,” the assertion learn. “If you cannot make a TV present with out risking the lives of animals, Then you might be unsuitable.”
