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The Dunkirk Common Council will decide Tuesday whether or not to discipline Animal Control Officer Steven Purol.

Purol was allegedly found to have bagged a dead pitbull two weeks ago and placed it in a private dumpster behind the Family Dollar without the store's permission. He later returned, removed the dead dog from the dumpster and put it in a city garbage truck.

"Again, I know how this sounds, and I understand the sensitive nature of this, but again, according to state AG and market, it is an acceptable practice to put them in a back of a garbage packer or city owned dumpster," said Dolce.

Dolce says the dog was put down at a local veterinarian's office after its owner agreed it was a danger.

The mayor says the city doesn't have the money to pay for the animal's disposal.

The county health department says the officer did not violate any sanitary codes by bagging the animal.

"The illegal act was using a private dumpster to dispose of it. If it was a city owned dumpster or the back of a garbage packer, then he would have been within his rights, as horrible as it sounds, to dispose of the dog that way," said Dolce.

Because of budget reasons and in order to save money, the DPW urged the city of Dunkirk to get rid of all its dumpsters earlier this year; yet people looking to properly dispose of a dead pet are encouraged to take it to a vet or the local humane society.

"We do have a fifty dollar charge for those and we take care of the body. Sometimes people want a private cremation which is more," said Susanne Bloom, County Humane Society Manager.

Now, Purol faces a range of possible disciplinary actions.

"A letter of reprimand, a suspension, or if they so choose, they could go as far as termination," said Dolce.

Purol did not return our request for comment on this report.