#MiddleburyCT #AnimalControlOfficer #Death
Middlebury town officials have revealed Oreste “Rusty” Bona, 72, the town’s animal control officer for more than 20 years, is the person whose body was discovered in a vehicle on Long Meadow Road in Middlebury on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
First Selectwoman Jennifer Mahr said she authorized town flags to be flown at half-staff to honor the town’s long time Animal Control Officer, Oreste “Rusty” P. Bona, who tragically passed away Sunday afternoon.
“Rusty has been a fixture of our community, known and loved for his passion and care for all animals. He was hired in January of 2004 as the town’s Animal Control Officer, and knew everyone in town,” Mahr said. “Rusty was deeply connected to the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department and the Middlebury Police Department, and he leaves behind a huge hole in the fabric of those communities.”
Mahr added, “On behalf of the Town of Middlebury, I offer my deepest condolences to his wife, family, and friends. I am grateful for his service to his country and his town, and he will be deeply missed.”
The circumstances of Bona’s passing are currently under investigation and will not be discussed further at this time. Funeral arrangements are unknown at this point.
UPDATE: Corrected his age.
UPDATE: Corrected first name spelling.
