Essy, a Cherry Valley duck from Bournemouth, Dorset, quacks, waddles and lays eggs. Sounds quite normal until you examine some of Essy’s more stand-out mannerisms, such as tail wagging, competing for treats, attempts at barking, going on leash-controlled walks and sleeping alongside dogs.

Why does she do these things? Nine-month-old Essy thinks she is a dog. Essy’s owners, Steff and Tony Tuft, adopted her when she was a mere eight weeks old. The duck immediately latched on to the couple’s two dogs, emulating their every move.

People in Bournemouth stop and stare when the Tufts take Essy for walks through the town.