SCHENECTADY - As the fate of two dogs deemed dangerous hangs in the balance, city taxpayers could eventually be on the hook for the thousands of dollars to keep the animals housed at the local impound.

In mid-June, Schenectady City Court Judge Robert Hoffman ordered that Salvatore DiNovo's two pit bulls, Styles and Damon, be euthanized for attacking DiNovo's 3-year-old niece the night of May 31 in the back yard of the family's Woodlawn home.

At the time, the toddler was staying with her father Robert Pierce, DiNovo's older brother, who was not home when the mauling occurred. The child suffered serious injuries that sent her to the hospital and required surgeries; relatives say she is on the road to recovery.

After the attack, the dogs were seized and have been housed at the city kennel on Anthony Street on the edge of Schenectady at a cost of $40 per day to DiNovo, city officials said.

So far, that total is up to roughly about $8,720 and counting. Over a six-month period, the maximum time to file the appeal, that figure could eclipse $14,000. DiNovo hasn't paid any of that, and if he doesn't, that would fall to the city, which could sue to get it.

Not long after Hoffman's ruling to put the dogs down, DiNovo's public defender Brendan Keller filed an appeal in a bid to keep them alive.

Public Defender Steve Signore said Tuesday that since his office doesn't handle appeals, Keller, with his approval, then offered to represent DiNovo pro bono provided the defendant pay for court transcripts and other filings needed to complete the appeal.

Keller, who represented DiNovo in the civil case a few months back, said Tuesday "the ball is in Mr. DiNovo's court" and that "he hasn't given me what I would need legally to pursue the appeal past the notice that I've already filed."

"He (DiNovo) is considering his options at this point," added Keller.

Reached Tuesday, DiNovo, 28, said he planned to contact Keller, but declined to say discuss the appeal.

City Attorney Carl Falotico said Tuesday that DiNovo has six months to "perfect" or complete the appeal from roughly around the June 1 date when he lost the animals.

"The dog owner is technically responsible for the $40-a-day per dog charge that is accruing while all this is pending," said Falotico. He said the city is often forced to sue a person to recoup the money.

"People don't always pay right away, but we generally do get our money," he said.

He said DiNovo still faces two misdemeanor counts in Schenectady City Court of harboring a dangerous dog and the case could go to trial if the two sides can't find a compromise. A pre-trial conference is schedule in the next few weeks.

If convicted, the defendant could face up to 90 days in jail on each offense.