Justin Theroux -- Is That a DEAD DOG??? (Spoiler: No)

Well, this photo freaked a few people out in our newsroom ... an image that appears to show Justin Theroux carrying the body of a lifeless dog through the streets of NYC.

BUT DON'T WORRY!!!! IT'S JUST A MOVIE PROP!!!

Apparently, the canine cadaver is being used for a scene in Justin's upcoming TV movie, "The Leftovers."

Coincidentally, Justin's fiancee Jennifer Aniston has also appeared in a dead dog flick ... "Marley & Me" (spoiler alert?).