Dog breeder charged with 29 counts of animal abuse asks for bond reduction, change of venue
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia dog breeder who was charged with 29 felony counts of animal abuse has asked a judge to reduce her bond and to change the venue of her case.
Melissa Sanders, 26, has been held at the Phelps County Jail though she is listed on Boone County’s online jail roster. She is being held without bond.
Sanders’ attorney on Monday filed a motion to reduce her bond, claiming she is not a flight risk though her parents live in the Kansas City area. At a previous hearing before her current set of charges were filed, a judge said they would consider a bond reduction following detention study. A lawyer for the state had argued at the time that Sanders is a flight risk because she is involved in a relationship with someone from Texas.
Andrew Russek, Sanders’ attorney, also filed a motion on Monday asking to change the venue of the case. The prosecution responded on Wednesday with a motion asking the judge to deny the change of venue, claiming it was not done in a timely manner.
Sanders ran Magnum Opus German Shepherds and a number of dead dogs, including a dozen dog skulls, were found at the property of the business when law enforcement served a search warrant, according to court documents in previous reporting. Several malnourished dogs were also found at the property.
Court documents say at least two living dogs that were found were on the brink of death.
The living dogs were turned over to the Central Missouri Humane Society after Sanders was arrested. Owners of the dogs were contacted and reunited with the animals.
The next hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Boone County Courthouse.