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.

India's top court has ordered authorities to remove all stray dogs from the streets and place them in permanent shelters, sparking an uproar from animal-rights groups over the feasibility of a decision some say was made in anger.

The MCD will expand an ABC centre in Dwarka, while in the third phase, the Ghoga Dairy will be considered for setting up large shelter homes.