Images of dog rescuing cat in Thai floods likely used AI, expert says

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 -Images of a dog seemingly rescuing a kitten during recent floods in southern Thailand went viral across social media, capturing hearts with their emotional power. 

The pictures, shared widely by users from multiple countries, purported to show a dog wading through floodwaters in Songkhla province while carrying a kitten toward a rescue boat. The dramatic visuals spread fast, often accompanied by comments praising the “hero dog” and calling the moment a powerful testament to animal compassion.

However, media fact-checkers and AI-detection tools have now raised serious doubts about the authenticity of the photos. According to a report by Agence France-Presse (AFP), the images were flagged as “Made with Google AI” when run through AI detection software — meaning they were digitally generated rather than captured in real life. 

Experts also point out visual inconsistencies in the images — from distorted backgrounds to improbable water levels and seemingly inconsistent lighting — that are common in AI-generated content.

This development highlights a broader digital-age challenge: powerful generative-AI tools can create compelling, emotional content — but that doesn’t always equate to truth. 

In times of crisis such as floods, such misleading images risk distorting public perception and diverting attention from real rescue efforts. As misinformation spreads, verifying sources, checking for digital watermarks or AI-generation flags, and cross-referencing with reliable news outlets becomes more important than ever.