This is the moment a lioness being walked on a lead suddenly lunges at a passer-by and clamps her jaws onto his arm after he tries to play with the beast.

The incident happened in Makhachkala, the capital of the Republic of Dagestan in southern Russia, and was captured on video which emerged online on 5th February.

The man was walking to a shop with his brother when they noticed a full-grown lion standing on the street on a lead.

Video footage shows the man stepping closer and reaching out toward the lioness' front paw as if attempting to shake it or play, before the animal abruptly lunges forward and bites onto his right arm.

The clip captures the man struggling as the lion holds on, while the handler rushes in and forcibly pries the man’s arm from the predator's jaws, separating them.

Dagestan police said the video was identified during routine monitoring of social networks and that checks have been launched to establish the exact location and circumstances of the incident.

A lion attacks a man who tried to play with it in Makhachkala, Russia, undated. The authorities are investigating. Note: Photo is a screenshot from the video (Newsflash)

Despite the attack, the man was not seriously injured.

Keeping wild animals, including lions, as pets has been banned in Russia since 1st January 2020, although animals acquired before this date were permitted to remain with their owners.

Authorities have not released further details about the lion’s owner or whether any action will be taken.

(Aloysius Fernandes /Newsflash)