Woman accused of abusing dog at Cosmo Park, motel

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman was charged on Wednesday after authorities claim she abused a dog at Cosmo Park and a motel on Monday.

Renee Rardin, 37, of Columbia, was charged with two counts of drug possession, one count of third-degree assault and one count of misdemeanor animal abuse. She is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. An initial court appearance was held Wednesday.

Court documents say that police were called to the Extended Stay America Motel on Business Loop 70 for a report of a woman beating a dog and threatening guests and employees. Victims stated in the probable cause statement that Rardin was seen beating a dog at Cosmo Park and in the parking lot of the motel.

One of the victims stated that they were kicked and punched by Rardin and another said Rardin charged at them with a stick at the entrance of the motel, the statement says. Rardin allegedly said the stick was a knife and witnesses and victims weren’t able to identify it as a stick until she threw it on the ground, the statement says.

Rardin was detained by police and was found with methamphetamine and other drugs, court documents say.