Dholu, an energetic young male with a noticeable limp; Oldie, the greying elder who loves a belly rub; and Snoopy, a golden-eyed boy who patiently waits his turn.

A small group of people have congregated outside Mumbai’s Joggers Park on Indian independence day. Monsoon rains that have hit swathes of the country have drenched them to their skin, but they have not been deterred.

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.