'Pizza Rat' attempts to carry off slice in New York

NEW YORK, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- A video of a rat attempting to carry off a slice of pizza in the New York City subway has gone viral since its upload Sunday.

Bystanders were simultaneously delighted and horrified to see a large rodent drag an entire slice of cheese pizza down the stairs at the First Avenue L train station. Onlooker Matt Little caught the moment on video before the animal abandoned its prize.

"#PizzaRat" began trending on social media, with many identifying with the rat's love of pizza and humorous struggle. Several people also joked the rodent was Splinter taking home a slice to the pizza-loving Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The video inspired others to share similar media, including neurobiology student Kurt Fraser's photo of "#cigarettecrab." #PizzaRat has been viewed hundreds of times since its upload, and covered by news outlets worldwide.