Naugatuck Woman Charged With Animal Cruelty and Harassment
- Melissa Mae Ahlgren, 35, was arrested by Berlin Police on Oct.
- 6, 2026, when animal control officials learned about a critically ill five-week-old puppy in Ahlgren's care, according to wfsb.com.
- A second warrant stemmed from a separate investigation into a fraudulent advertisement posted on an adult classifieds website.
Melissa Mae Ahlgren, 35, was arrested by Berlin Police on Oct. 1, 2026, and brought to Naugatuck Police Headquarters to face three separate warrants involving animal cruelty, stalking, and failure to appear, wfsb.com reported.
Animal Cruelty Charges Filed Over 16 Seized Dogs
The animal cruelty investigation began on Aug. 6, 2026, when animal control officials learned about a critically ill five-week-old puppy in Ahlgren’s care, according to wfsb.com. Prospect Animal Control assisted in transporting the puppy to an emergency veterinary hospital, where veterinarians euthanized the animal due to the severity of its condition. A subsequent medical examination revealed the puppy suffered from bacterial pneumonia and showed signs of inadequate nutrition.
On Aug. 20, 2026, Naugatuck Police and Naugatuck Animal Control executed a search warrant at Ahlgren’s property on Celentano Drive, seizing 16 dogs, including several young puppies. Officers reported finding feces and urine throughout the residence, no dog food on the premises, and no running water. The borough’s building inspector subsequently condemned the home. Ahlgren was charged with 16 counts of cruelty to animals, four counts of failing to vaccinate dogs or cats, and four counts of failing to comply with dog ownership requirements. She was held on a $50,000 bond for that warrant, dailyvoice.com reported.
Fake Adult Classifieds Ad Targets Animal Control Officer
A second warrant stemmed from a separate investigation into a fraudulent advertisement posted on an adult classifieds website. According to police, the ad utilized photographs and personal information belonging to the Naugatuck animal control officer who handled the animal cruelty investigation. The posting falsely claimed the officer offered sexual services, listed her former home address, and instructed strangers to visit without calling.
Naugatuck detectives used digital records to trace the account responsible for the advertisement back to Ahlgren, wtnh.com reported. Authorities charged her with second-degree harassment, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree stalking, and criminal impersonation. She received an additional $50,000 bond for those charges.
Outstanding DUI Warrant and Court Appearance in Waterbury
In addition to the animal cruelty and harassment warrants, Ahlgren had an outstanding warrant for second-degree failure to appear connected to a June 2026 DUI case, wfsb.com reported. Police processed her on that warrant and held her on an additional $10,000 bond, bringing her total bond to $110,000 across all three active cases, as noted by dailyvoice.com.
Ahlgren appeared in Waterbury Superior Court on Oct. 2, 2026, to face the charges stemming from all three warrants. The 16 dogs seized from the Celentano Drive property remain in the custody of Naugatuck Animal Control and are unavailable for adoption while the court proceedings move forward.