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A stray dog crisis is underway in Niagara Falls.
Residents, concerned about stray dogs, have been to the last 3 city council meetings independently of each other to express concern to the legislative body in the absence of the Mayor and city administrator who have the ability to address the concerns.
Wednesday, multiple concerned people stepped forth. In September, the city retained the services of Pit Chic, a Grand Island-based animal shelter, on an emergency basis at a cost of more than $20,000 monthly.
The agreement filled a void left by the Niagara County SPCA. The city even paid for kennels.
In the “for the good of the community” segment of Wednesday’s meeting, Rebecca Wlock and Tanya Barone both addressed the council.
Each told tales of stray dogs in the city being left in place because there is no room at the shelter.
The Express confirmed a sad tale a few weeks ago of a young woman rescuing an abused pitbull after being told by police to either care for the dog or leave it in place because there is no room at the shelter.
Janine Gallo, who hopes to open a Niagara Falls based shelter staffed with credentialed personnel, has spoken at recent meetings about conditions at the Pit Chic shelter which is no longer open to the public.
Wednesday, she played for the council a threatening phone call she received from an Erie County Sheriff's deputy threatening legal action if she did not back off criticism of Kelli Swagel, owner of Pit Chic.
Swagel formerly had an association with Gallo and has claimed on social media she is being unfairly targeted by a jealous ex-employee.
A tearful Gallo stood before the council and attempted to enumerate numerous ways she feels the city is not getting its money’s worth.
After speakers, and before the meeting adjourned, Deputy Corporation Counsel Thomas DeBoy offered legal advice to the council, reading from State Agriculture and Markets inspection forms that showed Pit Chic to have had a few deficiencies that have since been addressed.
Comparatively, DeBoy said the SPCA’s reports have been much worse.
DeBoy was interrupted with a point of order from council member Donta Myles who expressed concern the crisis is not being addressed.
He also wondered why DeBoy, who usually gives counsel behind closed doors, was addressing the issue publicly in defending the administration’s chosen vendor who was given the contract without an RFP or bidding process.
Council member Brian Archie suggested the council invite Swagel to address a meeting so she can defend her business. DeBoy suggested he put more faith in inspection reports from Ag and Markets than he would from the business owner, since Swagel would have a vested interest in presenting her business favorably.
