Naugatuck Man Charged With Animal Cruelty Receives 2 Years Probation: Police

NAUGATUCK, CT — A Naugatuck man accused of cruelty to animals received a fully suspended sentence of one year in prison earlier this month, according to police.

In a news release, police said Michael Kostenko, 39, of Naugatuck, was sentenced on Sept. 9 to two years probation.

He is also required to pay restitution to Naugatuck Animal Control for veterinary bills incurred for his dog, police said.

Kostenko was arrested Dec. 18, 2023, on a cruelty to animals charge stemming from an incident in which roaming dogs were found abandoned in Naugatuck, according to police.

Police said the dogs were left to roam in hazardous conditions and were injured as a result. They also noted Kostenko "did not provide care for [the dogs]."

"Naugatuck police and Naugatuck Animal Control take all crimes against our four-legged friends seriously," police said in a news release.

More information is available here.