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.

The Supreme Court's recent directive to relocate stray dogs in Delhi-NCR within eight weeks has stirred controversy and backlash from animal rights activists and NGOs.

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.