Trial of Boone County dog breeder pushed back to October

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The trial of a Boone County dog breeder charged with 13 counts of felony animal abuse has now been scheduled for October.

Melissa Sanders, 26, had been set to face trial next week in a Boone County courtroom. However, she waived her right to a speedy trial during a pretrial conference Friday, pushing the date back to the fall.

Judge Josh Devine revealed at the hearing that Sanders rejected a plea deal from the state and will stick with her not guilty plea. Prosecutors offered her 16 years in prison in exchange for pleading guilty to four counts. Sanders could be sentenced to 54 years in prison if convicted on all 14 counts, including a misdemeanor animal abuse charge.

Devine scheduled a bond reduction hearing for May 1.

Sanders ran Magnum Opus German Shepherds. 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 in 2025, according to court documents. 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.