Dholu, an energetic young male with a noticeable limp; Oldie, the greying elder who loves a belly rub; and Snoopy, a golden-eyed boy who patiently waits his turn.

A small group of people have congregated outside Mumbai’s Joggers Park on Indian independence day. Monsoon rains that have hit swathes of the country have drenched them to their skin, but they have not been deterred.

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.