A housing society in south Kolkata has been accused of brutally culling about 17 street dogs in complete violation of animal rights. The incident took an ugly turn on Tuesday when animal lovers and residents at the complex got into an angry brawl injuring many.

According to reports, the residents of the Diamond City housing complex, Kolkata kept complaining about the number of street dogs that kept roaming in their compound, and when no efforts were taken by the security guards to keep them off the premises, they employed a few outsiders to “take care” of the matter.

The incident came to light when one of the residents Gopa Ganguly noticed that some of the stray dogs that were spotted at the complex have suddenly disappeared. Soon, another resident reported having spotted a few men trying to take away a puppy in a gunny bag. Though she protested and freed the puppy, she was unable to get hold of the men who fled seeking help of the office bearers of the residents’ association.

This angered a section of residents who discovered that some of their fellow residents had been illegally torturing, relocating and in all probability killing the strays to keep their complex “neat”. They immediately informed NGOs working for animal rights and also filed an FIR with the local Sarsuna police station.

To gather evidence, Gopa Ganguly started documenting the moves of the men and dogs. She was soon threatened to stop doing so, and her teenage daughter was harassed and forced to stay out of the complex.  The police were called in to intervene and the girl managed to get home.

At present, only seven dogs could be traced at the complex. Several NGOs along with Trinamool MLA Debashree Roy reached the residential complex on Tuesday to protest. However, it was called off when the police tipped off about a possible violent outburst at such an event.

Till now, no action has been taken against the complex members, and police are further investigating for more clues regarding the case.

Denying the accusations, residents at the complex say the animals “posed a threat to kids and elderly people” residing there, adding that the pictures circulated by the other two residents are fake.