This is the heart-warming moment two small puppies guard a third injured one as they find themselves stranded in the middle of traffic.

The injured pup – filmed in Shanghai, east China on 10th January – seems unable to move from the road after being hit by a passing vehicle.

The poor puppy can be seen dragging its hind legs, barely able to budge forwards.

But luckily, by its side are two other pooches whose dogged determination keeps passing cars at bay.

It is not clear whether the three puppies were rescued and removed from the road later.

The video was posted on Douyin – the Chinese version of TikTok – with the caption: “The dog is the most loyal friend of mankind, please be kind to it.”

Netizens were very moved by the scene and praised the dogs’ ability to feel love and righteousness.

User ‘241600812506’ commented: “When I was young, I drove past two dogs crossing the road. One of the dogs was hit by a car, and the other ran back to rescue the injured dog. There is affection between dogs.”

And user ‘world of mortals’ said: “Some people are worse than dogs.”