SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Pet owners whose dogs and cats were thrown to their deaths from a bridge have filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the company that took the animals away and others they claimed were involved in the killings.

The $22.5 million claim was filed in federal court Friday against Puerto Rico's public housing director, the municipality of Barceloneta, its mayor, the owner of a private animal control company and several others.

The 45 plaintiffs - whose pets were snatched this month when local authorities enforced a no-pet rule in the island's public housing - are seeking $500,000 each.

Animal control workers seized dozens of dogs and cats from three housing projects in northwestern Puerto Rico on Oct. 8 and 10, beating, drugging, and then launching at least 50 of the animals to their deaths off a bridge, the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit says the owners had to watch as their animals were taken, injected with "unknown chemicals" and slammed into vehicles.

Police have confirmed the involvement of Animal Control Solutions.

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