Dunkirk Councilman-at-Large Nick Weiser sought to clarify the Common Council’s role in the city dog shelter.

Howling and yapping in Dunkirk about alleged City Hall mismanagement of the shelter reached a crescendo recently, after dog control officer Jennifer Sasso refused to renew her contract. Sasso is strongly criticizing the city government.

“Council’s responsibility is limited to establishing the budget,” Weiser said. “For 2026, council allocated $39,500 to dog control, shelter, and related services — an 8.97% increase over the 2025 budget.”

He continued, “Operational decisions, including animal care, shelter procedures, and any policies related to intake or disposition, fall under the (Mayor Kate Wdowiasz) administration and are not directed by council.”

Sasso alleged that the city has made dog shelter donations inaccessible. Weiser said, “With respect to donations, I have been informed by the city clerk’s office that the city has not received any monetary donations designated for the dog shelter. Two physical items were left in the City Hall drop box and remain there. As a matter of standard practice, any donations made to the city or its departments are required to be processed through the clerk’s office to ensure proper tracking, transparency, and accountability. If there are additional concerns or information regarding donations, I would welcome the opportunity to review them.”

Weiser added: “I understand that this is an issue people care deeply about, and I share that concern. At the council level, we remain committed to ensuring that appropriate resources are budgeted and that any questions about operations are addressed through the proper administrative channels.”