STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Photos of a woman being led on a leash through the Staten Island Mall in New Springville has inspired a dog fight among commenters on social media.

A man is seen holding a woman on a leash in what appears to be either a prank, a tryout for a reality TV show or an all-too-public display of sadomasochism. A Mall security guard is seen standing by in one photo.

A spokesman from Mall management declined to comment.

The photo was taken at the Mall on Saturday. A source at the Mall said management asked the couple to leave the premises and they did.

Cyber comments range from jokes to expressions of genuine concern.

Photos and videos of the couple at other locations on Staten Island also are making the rounds on social media. Three of them were found on one Instagram account.

This isn't the first time a handful of photographs of unusual content went viral throughout the borough (and beyond). Last March, photos of a creepy clown spread like wildfire. A production company, Fuzz on the Lens, took credit for the social media hit.