Activists claim local streets were turned into "slaughterhouses" in the days ahead of Yom Kippur. The residents hope to sue four rabbis and several Charedi communities, as well as city authorities, to stop the practice taking place.
In court papers the lawyers said: "Ten years ago, kapporot only occurred in several small alleys and a handful of synagogue parking lots. However, every year it has increased in size and scope.
"Today, kapporot has become an overwhelming event that has spiralled out of control into a carnival-like atmosphere of bloody violence."
They said people living next door to religious families had reported seeing headless chickens running around and experienced birds screaming in terror as they were swung around.
The rabbis have not commented on the case, but the city's law department said it would review the complaint.
