At least 17 dogs have been poisoned in a subdivision in Pavia, Iloilo after residents complained of being chased by the pets, authorities said Wednesday.

The Pavia Municipal Police Station on Wednesday confirmed the alleged poisoning of several dogs inside the subdivision.

Chief Insp. Fernand Limbunga, Pavia police chief, said the homeowner's association may be behind the poisoning after residents complained that they were being chased by dogs in the village.

“Roderick Panigua, a dog owner, said that he confronted the [village] guard and the guard said they did poison the dogs that night. But when the policemen came, when we interviewed them, they said that they poisoned the dogs last month,” Limbunga said.

In a statement Wednesday, the subdivision’s developer Property Company of Friends Inc. confirmed that 15 dogs have died inside the residential area and said it has begun to conduct an investigation.

"We have taken the steps necessary to investigate the matter and assure the public that we have high regard for the integrity of all forms of life in our community and, in this particular instance, will in no way condone any form of cruelty to animals," the statement read.

Aside from 15 dogs confirmed to have died in the village, two other dead dogs were found by a resident.

Village security guards refused to give a statement.