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NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Niagara Falls government officials are at odds surrounding how the city should handle animal control operations, and if the use of ARP funds would be best spent on a new animal shelter.
In a Dec. 18 meeting, council members voted 3-2 to strike down a contract with the city's current provider, Pit Chick, an animal service provider out of Grand Island contracted to house the city's strays.
Just two days later, Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino shared in an online address posted to YouTube: "We'll go forward with dog sheltering services, as we have been going to do our best to get new shelter constructed in a timely manner, have it staffed pursuant to an operating agreement, and move forward with that, that particular issue,"
The contract was set to expire on Dec. 31, 2024. With the Mayor's move to bypass city council's vote, the city will remain with The Pit Chick as their main animal service provider for now.
It's a move likely to upset resident who spoke out against the city's current handling of strays.
One resident took to the podium, saying in part, "The city does not have the resources with its current vendor or its DCO for that matter to shelter the stray dogs in the city. Dogs are left to roam the streets and the situation will become dire once winter starts to set in,"
The Niagara SPCA located in the City of Niagara Falls has spoken out about the amount of strays that come to their doorstep, contrary to the city's current contractor.
In a Dec. 2 Facebook post, the organization wrote in part, "Our Shelter is OVER CAPACITY and we have no space to take in dogs from municipalities that we do not contract with. The City needs something else in place for its stray dog population."
Also in dispute at city hall was the city's use of Federal ARP funds, all of which had to be spent by the end of 2024 or be returned to the federal government.
In a special meeting held the day after Christmas, the city voted to approve over 4 million dollars of ARP funds to go towards a new animal shelter at an old DPW facility in Hyde Park.
Regarding the vote to use those ARP funds, Councilman Donta Myles shared a statement with 2 On Your Side. Myles said in part, "The mayor requested approval for $4.1 million from the American Rescue Plan Funds to construct a dog shelter in our city’s largest park —a move that violates park alienation laws... These proposals and post actions raise significant questions about compliance, oversight, and the proper use of city resources."
