The Department of Livestock Development in Thailand has concluded its investigation into the use of a drugged cat in the filming of a Thai period drama, announcing that the cat’s owner and others involved in the incident will face animal cruelty charges. The cat, named Samli, was featured in a scene from the show The Empress of Ayodhaya (Mae Yuhua), where it was made to appear as though it had consumed a poisonous liquid. The cat, after drinking from a tray, was filmed having seizures and crying before ultimately “dying” in the scene, raising concerns about its treatment during production.
Director-General Somchuan Ratanamungklanon stated on Tuesday that the cat’s owner, who does not possess a veterinary license but has extensive experience working with animals in film, admitted to injecting Samli with a sedative to make the cat appear as though it had ingested toxic substances. The sedative used was one typically employed by veterinarians prior to anesthesia. The incident occurred on September 4 at the Ancient City (Muang Boran) in Samut Prakan province.
Somchuan confirmed that the Department had instructed the Division of Animal Welfare and Veterinary Services to file a police complaint against those responsible under Sections 20 and 22 of the 2014 Cruelty Prevention and Welfare of Animal Act. Section 20 prohibits acts of cruelty toward animals without justification, while Section 22 mandates that animal owners provide proper care and welfare for their animals. Violations of Section 20 can result in up to two years of imprisonment and/or fines of up to 40,000 baht. Non-compliance with Section 22 can also lead to a fine of up to 40,000 baht.
A veterinary examination conducted on Samli found no lasting harm, and AI technology was used to verify that the cat examined was indeed the same one that appeared in the controversial scene. The investigation aims to address the concerns raised about the treatment of animals in the entertainment industry.