Animal Cruelty Charge Levied Against Town of Enfield Employee

STAFFORD, CT — An employee of the town of Enfield has been charged with cruelty to animals by state police following an incident in June when her dog was found abandoned in Stafford.

Elyse Gonzalez, 33, was arrested Aug. 16 in connection with the case, in which the dog was rescued from traffic by passing motorists on Racker Road. The dog was traced via a chip to a Pennsylvania resident, who said he gave the dog to Gonzalez, according to a warrant.

Gonzalez has been free on a $500 non-surety bond since her arrest, and is slated to appear in Rockville Superior Court Oct. 7, according to judicial records.

On the town of Enfield web site, a staff directory indicates Gonzalez is employed as a clerk typist in the Department of Public Works, in the Building & Grounds Maintenance division. However, Director of Human Resources Steven Bielenda said she is now an administrative assistant at the water pollution control facility.