In cities across the country, the feral animals are both loved and feared. The judges are forging into intensely emotional territory by going after the ones in the capital.

SC on Monday ordered the relocation of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters within eight weeks, igniting protests from animal rights.

India’s top court has ordered authorities in New Delhi to start removing all stray dogs from its streets and to sterilize and relocate them to shelters permanently.