India’s Supreme Court has ordered the release of all stray dogs that were removed from New Delhi streets after sterilization and immunization following an increase in the number of people who were bitten by dogs.

In its decision on the case titled “In Re: City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price,” the court ruled that sterilized, dewormed, and vaccinated dogs should be returned to their original areas. However, it specified that dogs with rabies or those that exhibit aggressive behavior should not be released.

The countless stray dogs that wander India’s capital and environs have been granted a reprieve, after outcry over a court order to round them up.