Former Columbia Second Chance employee claims she raised concerns about dog breeder, later charged with 18 counts of animal abuse
Alison Patton
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia woman who says worked with breeder Melissa Sanders at Columbia Second Chance, claims she noticed and reported concerning behaviors to the organization.
Melissa Sanders
Torre Taylor, a former manager at Columbia Second Chance, said Sanders was contracted to train dogs in April. Taylor said she noticed what she said were concerning behaviors, like intensely correcting dogs. But Taylor said it wasn’t until a Columbia Second Chance dog was left in Sanders’ care, that she reported her concerns to her supervisor.
“I was letting my supervisor know that I had some real concerns about Melissa,” Taylor said.
Taylor says she worked at Columbia Second Chance for around five years. She told ABC 17, the dog, Galoshes, went to Sanders’ home for two weeks over the summer. She claimed Galoshes weighed about 80 pounds and came out around 60 pounds. Taylor also said the dog’s teeth had been “severely filed down”. She said it was possible he was chewing on the kennel or trying to eat hard objects.
Taylor said Galoshes was previously in a foster home and had some wear on his teeth, but she claims it got “dramatically worse” while in Sander’s care. Taylor said she reported her concerns verbally four times and sent a letter voicing her concerns, about potential abuse.
“I directly did tell some of the staff that you need to go and inspect this facility, something’s wrong, something’s going on there,” Taylor said. “Unfortunately, again, nothing came about after I voiced my concerns.”
Sanders was charged with 18 counts of animal abuse on Friday, after the Boone County Sheriff’s Office and Animal Control searched her home and place of business, Magnum Opus German Shepherds LLC. Authorities said they found 16 living dogs and several dead dogs, according to previous reporting. Court documents state many dogs were malnourished and lacking access to food and water.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Columbia Second Chance said the organization wasn’t aware of these allegations saying, “We are deeply saddened and disturbed by the recent charges of animal abuse filed against a former contract service provider who briefly conducted training sessions under our supervision. At Second Chance, the safety and well-being of the animals in our care is—and always will be—our highest priority. We want to be absolutely clear: had we known of any concerns, allegations, or behavior of this nature, we never would have engaged her services. Every training session conducted was directly supervised by our staff or committees, and no aversive tools or techniques were permitted,” the post reads.
The Facebook post also said Sanders was immediately terminated from working with Columbia Second Chance. Second Chance Executive Director Giulia Hall said in an email to ABC 17, that she is aware of Taylor’s claims, but refutes them.
“Our rescue is deeply committed to the health, safety, and humane treatment of all animals in our care. We are aware of the statements made by a former employee, Torre, which are factually incorrect,” Hall said. “The specific allegations of knowledge of animal abuse are false. Out of respect for the legal process and to ensure the integrity of our organization’s operations, we cannot discuss personnel matters or ongoing internal investigations in detail,” Hall wrote.
Hall claims Taylor did not report abuse during her time with the organization and said, “her concerns were based on techniques used, and general concerns of differing personality.”
Taylor said she never got a response to her letter, but Hall acknowledged it was received.
“We did receive the resignation letter, however, those concerns mentioned were vague, but addressed with Melissa directly at the time. No concerning behavior was observed with Second Chance animals, as all sessions were attended by a senior member of SC,” Hall wrote.
Hall also said she talked with Sanders about the concerns Taylor brought up.
Sanders is being held in the Boone County Jail without bond. A court date has not yet been set.