Boone County dog breeder pleads not guilty to 29 counts of animal abuse
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Boone County dog breeder pleaded not guilty Monday to dozens of counts of animal abuse charges after a grand jury indictment.
Melissa Sanders, 26, is facing 29 counts of felony animal abuse after she was previously charged with three felonies and 15 misdemeanor counts of animal abuse.
Sanders' new attorney, Andrew Russek of the Combs Waterkotte law firm, told ABC 17 News on Sunday that Sanders would enter a plea of not guilty on the new charges. He also said he plans to request an evidentiary hearing on a continued request for bond.
Sanders' next hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Jan 6. Judge Joshua Devine will also consider her bond request during that hearing.
Sanders remains in the Phelps County jail on no bond.
Sanders ran Magnum Opus German Shepherds, a breeding, training and boarding facility in Boone County. In November, law enforcement found several malnourished dogs and several dead dogs during a search of Sanders' property. Nearly a dozen dog skulls and countless other dog remains were also found in the search.
