The city of Dunkirk’s dog control officer has left the position, and blasted city government on the way out in a social media post.

Jennifer Sasso stated Tuesday that her service would end at midnight. “My contract has ended, and I will not be renewing it due to circumstances well beyond my control,” she wrote.

Sasso’s accusations against the city included:

— “I was told to transfer every dog to Lakeshore Humane (Society) by Day 6. If they could not take the dog, I was directed to euthanize the animal to ensure no city funds were ‘wasted’ on a stray. I refused, and I continue to refuse, to kill an innocent animal to cover for a ‘monetary deficiency’ caused by an administration with a history of embezzling thousands.”

— Sasso claimed she “followed every New York State law, while the city administration cared only about saving a dollar. They tried to censor the truth and manipulate my actions. I built the shelter’s extra compliance kennel units with my own hands because the city refused to help.”

— Sasso alleged she was “bullied into censorship and told I could not post on my own social media. Furthermore, the city took your generous donations and locked them in a closet in the clerk’s office for their own needs, rather than letting them go to the dogs they were intended for.”

Many of her comments agree with statements made by a concerned citizen in an email to the OBSERVER earlier this week. The citizen wrote that the shelter was not getting donations properly, and that Sasso was not going to renew her contract at the end of March.

The OBSERVER subsequently queried Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak and Councilman-at-large Nick Weiser about the situation at City Hall Tuesday.

Luczkowiak confirmed Sasso was a contract employee and acknowledged there are problems and challenges at the city dog shelter. Weiser didn’t have much to say, appearing a little surprised the issue had come up.

Luczkowiak and Weiser were offered the opportunity to respond to the concerned citizen’s email. Neither had done so as of Wednesday morning.

In a statement on Wednesday, Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz said the city remains fully committed to the humane and responsible care of every dog that comes through its municipal holding center. She also said the city has never ordered or directed the euthanasia of any dog.

“As a reminder, the city operates a state-regulated holding center, not a long-term shelter,” Wdowiasz said. “When dogs require extended care, adoption services, or specialized support, we work directly with the Chautauqua County Humane Society, which accepts surrendered animals and ensures they receive appropriate placement.”

Additionally, the mayor said the city had been in active discussions about renewing Sasso’s contract. Under the terms of that agreement, a 30-day notice period was required, but no such notice was provided. In recent months, Wdowiasz said, Sasso reported she did not have access to a vehicle to transport dogs, which created operational challenges the city attempted to work through during the contract-renewal discussions.

“As many of you know, I took this job because I love this work,” Sasso stated in her post. “With over 20 years of experience in rescue, training, and rehabilitation, I recognized a desperate need to mend a broken system in our city. I took on this role giving 100%, working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, often caring for eight dogs alone in a facility with only five kennels — well over our capacity — with zero support from city administration.”

She added: “With an impossible $2,000 budget and your donations hidden away from the animals, the dogs are the ones suffering. We are their only voice, and the city is failing them.

“If it were not for YOU — the residents who provided supplies when the city provided nothing — I could not have fulfilled my duties. Thank you for standing with me and for being the hands that helped heal these animals.

“As of April 1, please direct all dog-related calls and concerns to the Mayor’s Office or the Dunkirk Police Department.”