India's top court modifies directive regarding removal of stray dogs from Delhi, outskirts

NEW DELHI, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- India's top court Friday revised its order on the removal of stray dogs from all localities of the national capital city Delhi and surrounding areas.

Describing its earlier order as "too harsh," the court now directed that the stray dogs picked up from streets in and around Delhi should be released after sterilization and immunization.

However, the court said dogs infected or suspected to be infected with rabies, or those displaying aggressive behaviour, will not be released back into the neighbourhoods.

The court also warned people against feeding strays in public and said dedicated feeding spaces will be set up in each ward.

Rabies, a viral infection primarily transmitted through dog bites, has an extremely high fatality rate and claims nearly 60,000 lives every year worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, India accounts for 36 percent of these deaths.