Story By:  Ana Marjanovic, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency:  Newsflash

A woman who put her pet dog on a vegetable rack at a supermarket has prompted outrage in China.

The incident took place at a supermarket in Suzhou, a city west of Shanghai, on the coast of eastern China in Jiangsu province, on Tuesday, 14th June.

The footage, which was reportedly filmed by outraged witnesses, shows the woman – who has not been named and is wearing a facemask – apparently waiting to be served in the busy store.

As she waits in the queue by the fresh veg counter, she can be seen placing her dog on the unprotected food.

First the pedigree mutt – reportedly a toy poodle – is seen standing beside husks of sweetcorn.

Then as she moves down the line it is filmed standing on top of fresh tomatoes.

Chinese media reported that staff made no attempt to stop the strange behaviour but the footage quickly made the rounds after it was shared online, with netizens saying that the supermarket’s management should take responsibility for the incident.

It is currently unclear if the authorities are investigating.