A Thai period drama is facing an investigation and calls for a boycott over suspected animal cruelty after a black cat was sedated to portray poisoning in one episode.

Mae Yuaor Empress Ayodhayastarring actress Davika Hoorne and streaming on Channel One31 and Netflix, showed the feline drinking a solution from a serving tray and suffering convulsions before dying in one scene.

The clip, which appeared in the fifth segment, angered animal rights groups and viewers who called for the series to be banned pending an animal development department investigation into the incident.

The agency instructed the broadcaster to hand over the cat for a thorough examination and explain how the anesthesia was performed to determine whether the procedure violated the Animal Cruelty Act.

As backlash grew, Channel One31 apologized for making the public “uncomfortable” and maintained its commitment to animal safety.

The company said in a social media post on Sunday that it hired a professional animal modeling firm with more than 10 years of experience to film the scene, and the cat’s owner was present during the sedation process.