A photo has gone viral on social media as it allegedly shows a rat that had been tied up and “shamed” for stealing rice from a shop.

Images VIA

Posted to the Chinese micro-blogging platform Weibo, the photos show the rodent tied up by all four paws and wearing a sign explaining that it was caught stealing rice from a convenience store. I’m not sure if anyone involved with the punishment is aware that animals are incapable of feeling shame.

The Weibo user said:

A friend of mine found a small rat in the warehouse of a convenience store.

They also said that they felt sorry for the “poor rat” for being treated in such a way and all ahead of Chinese New Year. Where’s the holiday spirit?

The account holder also confirmed that the rat had been caught in a shop by his friend and that the notes were written by staff in the shop.

Some people pitied the rat, some people hated the rat, and some people found it to be funny.

I pity the rat. It’s just a small animal. It would almost certainly die being treated like this.

There is no news on whether the rat survived or not. After doing time like that, it probably went on to commit even worse crimes just to get its own back on society. Or maybe it just went home to get high. Rats do love a bifta after all.