JEANNETTE — The financial situation is so bad here that even the city's police dog has been laid off.

Jeannette City Council on Tuesday voted to lay off nine of the city's 47 workers effective Oct. 5. They include three of the city's 12 police, including Officer Justin Scalzo who handles the city's drug-sniffing dog, Wando.

Police Chief Brad Shepler says the layoffs come at a time when the city is seeing a boom in drug trafficking. Shepler's department also is losing its two meter maids and a secretary.