Dog breeder charged with 29 counts of animal abuse denied bond, venue change

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia woman who was charged with 29 counts of animal abuse has been denied her requests for a change of venue and a bond.

Melissa Sanders, 26, on Dec. 29 had asked a judge to give her a bond and to change the venue of her case. Judge Joshua Devine declined both requests on Wednesday. Sanders has a hearing scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20. She is being held at the Phelps County Jail.

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. A number of the dogs have been returned to their owners, while others are being fostered.