This is the moment a man on a lead walks on all fours like a dog along a packed street in Italy.

The images were filmed on Via dei Mulini in the village of Positano, a well-known tourist hotspot in the province of Salerno in south-western Italy before being shared online yesterday (Sunday 25th July).

They have since notched up tens of thousands of views and been widely shared.

In the video, a shirtless man led by another man can be seen walking on all fours down the narrow alleyway. Tourists appear visibly shocked as they immediately move aside to make room for the person on the lead.

At one point, the person impersonating a dog can be even heard barking while visitors stop and turn around to watch the strange pair.

Local media speculated it was a “petplay” which is a BDSM (bondage, discipline and sadomasochism) practice.

However there was no confirmation from authorities as to the reason for the strange behaviour, and no information as to whether the “dog” or his walker face any penalties.