NEW DELHI, Jan. 14 -- A Delhi court has demanded a status report from the Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre (SGACC), sharply criticising what it termed as "gross lapses" in the shelter's care of 10 dogs and record-keeping for animals seized from accused persons.

Additional sessions judge (ASJ) Surabhi Sharma Vats of Karkardooma Courts issued the order on Tuesday, highlighting serious concerns about the welfare of 10 dogs at the centre of a legal dispute.

The order came during a revision petition filed by SGACC, challenging a trial court's August directive to release 10 dogs back to a respondent, one Vishal, from whom they were originally seized as part of investigation into a case lodged at Jagatpuri police station.

In its revision plea...