Columbia legislator prefiles bill to expand dog-breeding requirements after woman is charged with 29 counts of animal abuse

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia state representative on Monday prefiled a bill for the upcoming legislative session that aims to expand rules on dog-breeding facilities.

Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) prefiled the “Animal Care Facilities Act,” which would expand violations pertaining to commercial and noncommercial breeders. Provisions include requiring adequate food, water and housing for animals at facilities.

This comes after a Boone County dog breeder was indicted in 29 felony counts of animal abuse on Friday.

Melissa Sanders, 26, of Columbia, is being held at the Phelps County Jail without bond, though she is still listed on the Boone County Jail’s online roster. She pleaded not guilty at an arraignment for the new set of charges on Monday.

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.

Tyson Smith had announced his intent to prefile the bill last month after Sanders was initially arrested and charged with three felonies and 15 misdemeanors.

“It is long overdue that we close the loophole allowing certain breeders to avoid licensure and inspections. We need to take all reasonable steps to eliminate animal cruelty in our State," Tyson Smith wrote in a statement to ABC 17 News.

Sanders has a hearing scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6.