Union Minister of State for Agriculture Sanjeev Baliyan on Monday said that there should be an "investigation" into the alleged attempt to conduct dialysis of a dog at the state-run super-speciality SSKM hospital here, which was opposed by the hospital's director.

"There must be a probe. There must be legal action into the matter," Baliyan told reporters.

Describing the incident as "unfortunate", Baliyan said that if treating of pet dogs in West Bengal had become a problem then the Centre would open up a veterinary hospital to solve it.

"If it is such a big problem then we will open a dog hospital here," the BJP MP said adding "strict action must be taken" in the case.

Pradip Mitra, the state-run hospital's director, was transferred by the state government allegedly for objecting to the dialysis of a pet dog. The government, though, insisted that it was a 'routine' transfer.

Meanwhile, a delegation of BJP workers, led by actor-turned politician Locket Chatterjee, on Monday demanded that the name of the owner of the pet dog be revealed by the hospital authorities within 10 days.

...