India’s Supreme Court has ordered the release of all stray dogs that were removed from New Delhi streets after sterilization and immunization following an increase in the number of people who were bitten by dogs.

Delhi's stray dog population is estimated at one million, with suburban Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram also seeing a rise, municipal sources say. India has millions of stray dogs and the country accounts for 36% of the total rabies-related deaths in the world, according to the World Health Organization.

Around 150 people gathered outside a dog shelter home in Delhi's Rohini Sector 27 on Friday night, protesting, alleging mistreatment. Protestors claimed that several dogs were dying due to improper care and demanded immediate intervention.