Reuters reports that hundreds of people joined in a protest march from the island's Supreme Court to its Capitol, angered over an alleged "pet massacre" in Puerto Rico's north-west town of Barceloneta on the 8th and 10th October.

Authorities apparently siezed 80 or so pets from public housing estates from their owners, and local residents claim many of the animals were then thrown over the Paseo del Indio highway bridge outside of town to their deaths. Mayor Sol Luis Fontanes had ordered the raids after instituting a no-pet policy in the estates. Puerto Rican Commonwealth and federal housing officials say they had no rules barring pets.

The 500 strong crowd, many of whom brought dogs to the protest, wore T-shirts reading, "I'm a animal lover" or "I love mutts". Others held signs with slogans like "stop animal abuse" and "justice for the pets of Barceloneta".

Protester Ramon Martinez added: "If what they say is true, that's an action that's unfitting for any civilised country."

Forty-five residents filed a $US22.5 million federal lawsuit on Friday against the town, the Public Housing Administration and several others.

Animal Control Solutions President Julio Diaz, whose company was contracted by the municipality, denies the claims and said municipal officials delivered the pets to his firm, which then euthanised the animals humanely.

Read the full article at SMH/Reuters