Public outcry of animal cruelty lands Thai TV series in hot water

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development (DLD) has filed a police complaint, accusing the owner of a cat that appeared in the Mae Yua television series, as well as related individuals, of animal cruelty.

DLD director-general Somchuan Rattanamungklanon said on Nov 19 that the department was responding to a public outcry after the series’ fifth episode was aired on Nov 9 on the One 31 channel.

In a scene of the popular period drama, a black cat was depicted as being poisoned. The feline was shown vomiting and going into a seizure and then becoming lifeless.

After being hit by heavy criticism for animal cruelty, the series’ producer said the cat was not harmed and was only injected with an anaesthetic.

Mr Somchuan said the department invited all parties involved to its head office in Bangkok on Nov 13 for questioning, and also checked on the cat’s health.

He said a medical examination of the cat and an X-ray showed no abnormality in its chest, abdominal cavity, blood, liver and kidneys, adding that there were no signs of wounds either.

The cat’s owner reportedly admitted to administering an anaesthetic to the cat before the scene was shot in Samut Prakan province on Sept 4. He added that both he and his cat had been compensated by the show’s producers.

The owner also said the anaesthetic agent was the same sort as the one used by veterinarians, although he admitted that he did not have a veterinarian licence to deliver the injection.

Mr Somchuan said the DLD decided to file a complaint against the owner and others involved for performing an unjustifiable cruel act against an animal and for failing to provide proper welfare to a pet under one’s care.

Both actions are in violation of the 2014 Cruelty Prevention and Welfare of Animal Act. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK