A furious back-and-forth between some members of the community and Denver police unfolded on social media Friday after neighbors complained police officers would not allow them to help a dying dog struck by a car Wednesday night.

7News first reported, with video of the scene, that a dog without tags lay in the street in pain for 90 minutes before eventually succumbing to its injuries. Officers on the scene did not allow neighbors to help the animal, witnesses said. One person was even threatened with arrest, according to the 7News report.

Friday afternoon, police posted a department-made video on social media explaining that the reason people were kept at bay by officers is they feared for the safety of everyone because they did not know how the dog would react. A veterinarian interviewed by police for the video backed police on the safety issue.

On Facebook, police responded to irate comments complaining that no matter what, people should have been allowed to aid the dog.