The Naugatuck Police Department has announced a sentence in a late 2023 animal cruelty case. On September 9, 2024, 39-year-old Michael Kostenko was sentenced to incarceration for one year. The sentence was fully suspended.

Kostenko was also sentenced to two years of probation and has been ordered to pay restitution to Naugatuck Animal Control for the vet bills incurred to his dog. On December 18, 2023, Kostenko was arrested for Cruelty to Animals.

It is reported that roaming dogs were found to be abandoned. Kostenko did not provide care for the animals. The dogs were left to roam in hazardous conditions of a property resulting in injury.