Boone County dog breeder accused of animal abuse to be in court ahead of trial
Jazsmin Halliburton
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A former Boone County dog breeder is set to appear for a pre-trial hearing at the Boone County Courthouse Monday, as she faces 29 felony animal abuse charges.
Melissa Sanders, 26, of Columbia, will be in front of Judge Joshua Devine at 9:30 a.m. in the Boone County Courthouse.
As of Monday morning, Sanders was listed on the Boone County Jail roster, being held on no bond.
Sanders ran Magnum Opus German Shepherds, where several dead dogs, including a dozen dog skulls, were found at the property of the business when law enforcement served a search warrant in November, 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. Several dogs have been returned to their owners or are being fostered.
Sanders’ four-day jury trial is set to begin on Tuesday, April 28.