Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz took more criticism this week for the city’s continued failure to hire an animal control officer.

William Dunst confronted her at a Common Council meeting Tuesday, asking why she hasn’t hired the officer. Dunst said he has issues with a neighbor’s dog, which gets angry and sometimes jumps the boundary fence onto his property. He said the city police told them they can’t do anything unless they find the dog’s owner, who apparently makes himself scarce.

“Right now I have a bat which I keep outside in case (the dog) jumps the fence,” Dunst said.

Speaking to the mayor, he demanded: “I would like you to get an animal control officer on your staff — now.”

“As soon as I find one, I’ll hire one,” Wdowaisz replied. Dunst hit back, “That’s all we’ve ever heard.”

“OK. Well, no one wants the position,” said Wdowiasz. “I appreciate your comment and your input. As soon as we find someone who’s willing to do that job, I’ll absolutely hire them.”

Councilwoman Nancy Nichols subsequently offered some comments about the situation in a phone call with the OBSERVER.

She said that for the long-term, the Common Council is considering a public hearing on changing the animal control position to a dog control officer, which has less stringent hiring requirements.

Meanwhile, citing a conversation with City Attorney Elliot Raimondo, Nichols said that someone did recently submit an application for the animal control position.

“Once that is appointed, we can work to get a team of volunteers on a day to day basis” to staff the city animal shelter, Nichols said. She envisions a system of volunteers similar to the Lakeshore Humane Society, and added she knows people that would commit to certain days of the week for shifts.