Ray Neuberger, Ex-Fairfield RTM Member, Again Abused An Animal: PD

FAIRFIELD, CT — Raymond Neuberger, a 38-year-old former Fairfield Representative Town Meeting member, was arrested on a warrant this week again charging him with cruelty to animals for a second time, in this instance after he was accused of fatally beating and dousing a cat in bleach, according to Fairfield police.

Neuberger was taken into custody Wednesday, and in addition to animal cruelty, he was also charged with third-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

In 2018, Neuberger served time in jail in connection with the physical abuse of two dogs, reported the Connecticut Post.

According to Fairfield police, the most recent case began after the department received a report on Aug. 7 from an emergency veterinary clinic "that they were caring for a feline that appeared to be suffering from injuries, which were deemed suspicious."

The initial investigation determined that the cat was covered in what was later found to be bleach, and had several signs of physical injury and neurological trauma. The cat subsequently succumbed to these injuries.

"The Fairfield Police Department’s Detective Bureau working in collaboration with Fairfield Police Animal Control Officers, conducted an in depth and lengthy investigation," Lt. Michael Paris wrote in a statement. "Following a necropsy, veterinarians determined that the cat died as a result of blunt force trauma."

The investigation led police to Neuberger as the suspect, and a warrant was obtained for his arrest.

"Furthermore, this investigation revealed that Neuberger engaged in violence, domestic in nature, and a separate arrest warrant was completed," Paris said, but he did not elaborate.

Neuberger was released after posting a total of $30,000 in court set bonds and is due in Bridgeport Superior Court on Wednesday.

In a statement Tuesday, Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said she is shocked by Neuberger's most recent arrest. A Republican, Neuberger worked on Kupchick's campaign, and he served on the RTM from 2013 to 2017, when the abuse from the first animal cruelty case came to light, wrote the Fairfield Citizen. In 2016, he also ran and lost to state Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey in the 133rd District.

"I want to thank the Fairfield Police Department for their thorough investigative work that led to the arrest of this individual for serious crimes," said Kupchick. "Frankly, I am in shock this defendant was arrested again for another case of animal cruelty after serving time in prison, this one resulting in the death of an innocent animal. When I was a State Representative in Hartford, I 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. I hope this case is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

(Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Neuberger was a member of the Fairfield RTM. Patch apologizes for the confusion.)