CICERO, N.Y. -- Some neighbors along Oneida Lake are outraged about the deaths of a family of mute swans.

Earlier this month, a kayaker complained to the DEC that the swans became aggressive. Locals say the pair had lived on the lake for years and just had their first babies.

But, on Monday morning, Tracy Collins says she saw a boat get close, then it sounded like the swans were shot and the babies appeared to have been drowned.

A statement from the USDA says they "humanely euthanized" the swan family, and the babies were not drowned.

But, Collins and many others say the agency should have looked for another solution.

"Why not come out and ask somebody that knows the swan or knows what's going on,” said Collins. “I mean to just murder them like they did, that was just horrific."

Neighbors plan to celebrate the lives of the swans this weekend. They hope the law changes to protect other animals in similar situations.