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Raymond Neuberger, age 38, of Fairfield, a former Representative Town Meeting member, was arrested for a second time on Tuesday, Oct. 4, after Fairfield Police received a report in August from an emergency veterinary clinic that they were caring for a cat that appeared to be suffering from injuries, which were deemed suspicious, said Lt. Michael Paris of the Fairfield Police Department.
The initial investigation determined that the cat was covered in a liquid, later found to be bleach, had several signs of physical injury, and neurological trauma, and died as a result of these injuries, Paris said.
The Fairfield Police Department’s Detective Bureau working in collaboration with Fairfield Police Animal Control Officers conducted an in-depth and lengthy investigation, Paris said.
"Following a necropsy, veterinarians determined that the cat died as a result of blunt force trauma," he added.
After a review of all evidence, investigators concluded that the person responsible for the death of the cat was Neuberger and an arrest warrant was completed, Paris said.
In addition, the investigation revealed that Neuberger engaged in violence, domestic in nature, and a separate arrest warrant was completed.
When he was arrested he was charged with:
- Assault
- Disorderly Conduct
- Cruelty to Animals
Neuberger was released after posting a total of $30,000 in court-set bonds.
“The Fairfield Police would like to thank all of the doctors and staff of our emergency veterinary clinics for their diligence in recognizing injuries suspicious in nature prompting law enforcement to arrest the person accused of these crimes," Paris said.
In 2018, Neuberger received accelerated rehabilitation, for allegedly pouring boiling water on a former girlfriend's dog and breaking the ribs of another dog after a fight.
He was placed on two years of probation.
Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said she was "in shock, this defendant was arrested again for another case of animal cruelty."
When Kupchick was a State Representative in Hartford, she worked on legislation to strengthen the penalties for individuals who commit domestic violence that coincides with animal cruelty.
"This case is a prime example of why I pushed for the change in the law," she said. "I hope this case is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law”.
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