Two men, eight dogs found dead in Delhi dog home

New Delhi: The owner and caretaker of a south Delhi dog shelter were found dead along with eight strays in a room of the shelter early on Friday. The police suspect it to be a case of food poisoning but sources say it could be a murder over a property dispute.

The bodies were recovered around 0930 hrs (IST). from a dog shelter - Sai Animal Welfare Ashram, popularly known as 'kutta ashram' - near the Chhattarpur Mandir in south Delhi's Mehrauli area, according to the police.

The ashram is home to over 80 stray dogs.

The police said Munna, who works as a guard, discovered the bodies in one of the rooms when he went there for cleaning.

"Munna called us saying that his owner, the caretaker and some dogs are lying unconscious and he was not sure if they were alive," said a police official investigating the deaths.

The deceased men were ide0ntified as Vishwant Kumar, 65, owner of the shelter, and Shivrat, 35, caretaker.

The police said the victims had eaten a non-vegetarian dinner the previous night. The police have collected some fluids from the spot and said it appeared to be vomit, indicating that they could have died of food poisoning. Chicken, mutton, tea and rice were found scattered near the bodies.

"Both the men and the dogs had vomited. We are not ruling out anything, but prima facie it looks like a case of food poisoning. We are also seeking the help of experts," said a police official.

A bottle of insecticide has also been recovered from the spot.

The police have ruled out robbery, saying that no valuables and cash were missing from the shelter.

However, sources revealed to IANS that the men could have been poisoned over the ashram property.

"It may turn out to be a big conspiracy. Shivrat and the dogs might have become victims of a well-planned plot," sources said.

Kumar is survived by his wife and two sons. He was separated from his wife 10 years ago and was living in the ashram for the past four years. He opened the animal shelter four years ago after selling his Vasant Vihar shop.

Kumar visited his sons regularly.

The police have sent the bodies to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for post-mortem examination.