The Dunkirk Common Council’s Abby Zatorski and Nancy Nichols complained about the city’s lack of an animal control officer at a meeting last week.

“I had sent an email on May 25 to the mayor (Kate Wdowiasz) and to (Personnel Director) Anne Davis regarding an ACO,” Zatorski said. “I have not gotten a response from either of you, so I was just wondering if you guys had any kind of response…”

Wdowiasz interjected, “The position’s been offered to the individual and we have not gotten a response from her.”

“I wasn’t finished,” snapped Zatorski. “I mean, there’s no point, obviously — because I spoke to that person. If this person doesn’t take it — people are saying now the shelter’s closing, is there any truth to the rumor? People wanna know.”

The mayor responded, “Number one, rumors in this town just have to stop. Social media — like, you can’t believe what you’re hearing on the street.”

“Well, we can’t believe what we’re hearing in here most of the time,” Zatorski fired back. “Are you trying to fill that position? It’s been over a year.”

“We are working on it,” Wdowiasz concluded.

Nichols subsequently added her own criticisms.

“I, along with Abby, have asked at numerous times, at many council meetings, on the status of that — and was told at the meetings that no one has applied,” Nichols said. “I personally talked to this girl as well, and she’s more than willing and eager to take the job over. There are people who have contacted me (about ) being able to adopt a couple dogs in that shelter… I’m a dog lover, I have seven dogs in the family, and don’t talk to me about not taking care of the dogs.”

The city of Dunkirk has not had an animal control officer since December 2023. Nichols told the OBSERVER last November that city police have to handle dog control calls. She also said then that the position is worth filling, even in light of Dunkirk financial problems.