A Shelton man has been charged after police uncovered video footage showing him allegedly admitting to killing a dog as well as a second video allegedly showing the animal being put in a garbage bag.
Michael Anziano, 47, was arrested last week and charged with first-degree maliciously killing or wounding an animal, the Shelton Police Department said in a news release Tuesday.
Police said they began investigating when Shelton Animal Control received a tip suggesting there was video footage showing Anziano admitting that he had killed a dog. The department’s Detective Bureau reviewed the video and uncovered additional video allegedly showing the dog’s remains being placed in a garbage bag, according to police.
Detectives obtained a warrant for Anziano’s arrest following an investigation into what police described as “reprehensible behavior.”
Anziano was initially held on a $100,000 bond pending an arraignment in Derby Superior Court. According to court records, his bail was lowered during the hearing to $75,000, which he later posted.
Anziano did not enter a plea during the hearing, court records show. He is due back in court on Nov. 14.
“This type of cruel and criminal behavior will not be tolerated in the city of Shelton,” police said in a statement. “The Shelton Police Department commends the dedicated officers, detectives and animal control whose thorough investigation ensured the prompt arrest and brought the accused to justice.”