Hours after police revealed that it can only investigate the cruel cat killings in the capital 'only if an official complaint is filed,' a group of individuals have done so.

The group, which included several local celebrities, filed the complaint on Wednesday night.

Afterwards, police used twitter to announce that it has launched an investigation into the matter, adding that the case is being treated 'seriously.'

A number of street cats have been brutally murdered in Malé City in the recent weeks with photos circulating around social media, and has caused a public outrage.

Citing an official at the Malé City council, local media outlets reported that there have been an increased number of dead cats across the city; the council is tasked with keeping the streets clean.

However, earlier on Wednesday police's spokesperson told RaajjeMV that the matter had not been brought to their attention, and that they can only investigate the matter after an official complaint was filed.

While the police service comes under the ministry of home affairs, current home minister Imran Abdulla had assured 'safety of living creatures' days ahead of his appointment.

Noting that he had received a letter informing him of the cruelty to community cats, the minister emphasized that 'their safety must be guaranteed through the system.'

However, he has not spoken on the matter since.

A petition has been launched online as well, calling on the president to 'stop the brutal killings of community cats in Malé.'

Noting that the strays need 'love and care,' the petition highlighted that they 'are being beaten without any source of guilt of grief.'

A video of a cat being bludgeoned to death surfaced online on Wednesday.