New Delhi, Aug 12 - The Delhi High Court Wednesday asked police to provide protection to a woman lawyer who was assaulted by some residents for tending stray dogs in the capital.

Namrata Chanda had sought the court's direction for security as some residents of south Delhi's Freedom Fighters colony in Kalkaji had assaulted her for feeding stray dogs.

She claimed that being an animal protection activist, she also undertakes regular vaccination, inoculation, immunisation and sterilisation of stray dogs.

The petitioner brought to the court's notice that the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension has issued circulars clearly indicating that tending to community animals must not be objected to.

Justice Rajiv Shakdher directed the police in the colony to protect Chanda.