The video was shared on Facebook last week by a man named Nghi Le Duc.
In it, three representatives of Cause Animale Nord (an animal rights group) can be seen violently removing a puppy from a homeless man’s arms.
Nghi captioned the post: “Three Cause Animal North representatives have violently separated a homeless man from his friend - a small dog.”
He added that the homeless man had burst into tears and begged them to reconsider - and that even people walking past tried to intervene on his behalf.
He added: “I was shocked when I saw this scene in the streets of Paris.”
However, since then, the group have shared their own response - and they have claimed that the dog had been ‘drugged’ by the homeless man so that he could use it for begging.
Naming the little pup Vegan, after their animal-loving beliefs, they said that the dog had appeared disorientated and that the homeless man had stolen it in a bid to earn more sympathy from passers by.
“The police do nothing, we act,” they said, adding that Vegan will be put up for adoption.
Vegan (nom en mémoire à nos convictions), petite chienne, sauvetage de ce jour lors de la Marche laissons leur peau aux... > >
Posted by [Cause Animale Nord](https://www.facebook.com/CauseAnimaleNord) on [Saturday, September 19, 2015](https://www.facebook.com/CauseAnimaleNord/posts/770514253077525:0)
They added that the homeless man’s tears were simply because he realised that he had lost his meal ticket, and that the film had been taken vastly out of context.
Speaking to French newspaper La Voix Du Nord, they added: “We intervened because it was urgent for the animal.
“It is very easy to turn images of context or some about to attack and defame.”
[Vegan dimanche chez sa FA](https://www.facebook.com/CauseAnimaleNord/videos/771243086337975/)
Voici Vegan (la chienne amorphe détenue par un rom qui l'a drogué sur les trottoirs parisiens) Dimanche elle est en pleine forme, elle peut enfin courir partout, elle n'a plus peur d'aller dans l'herbe et ne plus être attachée avec un bout de corde.....Profiter de la vie pleinement A l'adoption cause animale nord 0688198696 > >
Posted by [Cause Animale Nord](https://www.facebook.com/CauseAnimaleNord) on Monday, 21 September 2015
They have since shared a video of Vegan playing ball in a sunny garden, to show that the puppy is being well cared for and living a better life.
Despite this, people are still up in arms over Cause Animale Nord’s actions. They argue that, in taking the puppy, the group broke its own rules (Cause Animale Nord's rescuing policy commands the group give the owner notice before seizing any pet).
Eyewitnesses have also disputed the group’s claims that the dog was drugged and disorientated, saying that the puppy had seemed to be happy and well looked after by the homeless gentleman.
Others argued that, while the dog may eat better with another owner, Vegan will not have the constant attention and affection he received from his owner. This constant care and love, they insist, will not be present at the animal shelter - and there is also the fact that, if Vegan is not adopted within a certain amount of time, the little dog could be subjected to euthanasia.
As a result of this, members of the public have created a petition on the website Change.org (one that has been signed by over 150,000) with the objective of forcing an investigation into the animal group.
**Do you think the animal rights group were right to take Vegan away from the homeless man? **
Let us know your thoughts on this complex issue over at Facebook or Twitter (@CloserOnline) now.