India, Aug. 22 -- The Supreme Court on Friday directed authorities to have stray dogs picked up, but also released back on the streets after sterilisation if the animals are not rabid or exhibiting aggressive behaviour.

The fresh verdict is a modification of the August 11 order, which directed authorities to round up stray dogs and not release them. Explaining its reasoning behind the fresh verdict, the Supreme Court bench cited the earlier order and called it "too harsh".

The top court said a blanket order on placing dogs inside shelters would present a "catch-22" situation. "It cannot be gainsaid that before any direction for impounding the entire stray dog population is given, it would be necessary to have a look at the existing infr...