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 is hearing a case about stray dogs in Delhi-NCR. A previous order directed authorities to pick up stray dogs, create shelters, and keep them off the streets due to concerns over dog bites and rabies.

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.