An attorney gave an urgent public service announcement in response to a TikTok video where a woman added laxatives in her coffee creamer to deter coworkers from stealing it.
While the original video has been deleted, TikTok user @attorneyryan, made a reaction video using the footage before it was taken down.
The self-ascribed "Labor Lawyer" alleged that putting laxatives in coffee creamer while knowing someone might steal it was illegal.
@attorneyryan Visit TikTok to discover videos!
In the video, @attorneyryan superimposed himself in front of the original TikTok clip and physically reacted to the cunning act.
A voiceover, presumably his, said:
"Got tagged in this a lot so let's talk about it. This woman is putting a laxative in her coffee creamer because her co-workers keep using it."
"This is a crime, don't do this. It doesn't matter if you write 'Do not use,' you know they're going to drink it."
Reactions were mixed in the comments.
Some people defended the lawyer.
@attorneyryan/TikTok
One user believed the coffee creamer pilferers deserved karmic consequences.
@attorneyryan/TikTok
This person had a creative solution that was less harmful.
@attorneyryan/TikTok
Many others, however, disagreed with him.
When a commenter argued the woman could do to her creamer as she pleases, the lawyer reiterated his point with an analogy.
"Extreme example: you can't put a trap behind a 'no trespassing' sign and get away with hurting someone."
@attorneyryan/TikTok
And when another user said "stealing was a crime," the lawyer said:
"If you are doing it with the intent of someone drinking it and getting sick, it's illegal. Having your name on it won't be a defense."
In response to another comment, he added that the argument: "stealing is also a crime," was not a valid defense.
He added:
"Because you knew they would drink it so you set a trap. The trap is illegal."
@attorneyryan/TikTok
It became a moot point to continue arguing with the lawyer.
This TikToker insisted that it wasn't a crime "to put what you want in your drink. It's your product to do whatever you want to it."
The lawyer responded:
"Sounds like you're the legal expert."
@attorneyryan/TikTok
Still, people who supported the lawyer's message came out in droves.
@attorneyryan/TikTok
One TikToker went as far as to consider the woman's act as "100% poisoning," to which the lawyer said:
"Tried to warn them. Best free legal advice I ever gave. lol."
@attorneyryan/TikTok
And this individual expressed their concern to all the opposition in the thread.
@attorneyryan/TikTok
The Daily Dot said they reached out to both @attorneyryan and the original poster of the video, but there have not been any responses.