Saxonburg solicitor Michael Gallagher said Thursday, Dec. 21, the borough couldn’t comment on the employment status of borough manager Steven May, who was charged Wednesday with a felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals.

The issue is a personnel matter, Gallagher said.

“As a local government, we respect the right that everyone has to be innocent until proven guilty,” Gallagher said.

May is accused of shooting and killing his neighbor’s dog with a crossbow and disposing of it in a dumpster outside the borough building last month. In addition to one felony count, May is charged with misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief and tampering with physical evidence, and summary damage to personal property.

May was arrested by Buffalo Township Police and arraigned Wednesday morning by District Judge William Fullerton before being released on his own recognizance.

May’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 3 p.m. Jan. 23 in front of District Judge Sue Haggerty.