A search warrant was executed at the home Monday.
ST. LOUIS — Police executed a search warrant at a St. Louis property Monday, rescuing 22 abused and neglected dogs.
The dogs’ owner, 69-year-old David Sanders, was charged with second-degree animal abuse and unlawful use of a weapon.
In September, an officer conducted surveillance at the home on the 8700 block of Riverview Boulevard after St. Louis City Animal Care and Control reported the owner had been hostile toward animal control and had previously thrown dead dogs into dumpsters.
From a nearby alley, the officer witnessed multiple dogs in poor condition in the backyard and saw a man striking them with a wooden board. The incident was recorded by the officer’s body camera.
Years of reports from animal control documented the dogs living in unsanitary conditions and being physically abused by Sanders, and several witnesses corroborated the accounts, saying they’d seen Sanders striking the dog with a bat, a belt and other objects.
On Oct. 21, officers executed a search warrant on the property and 22 dogs were rescued. One dog was found dead.
Sanders was also accused of showing his neighbor a gun in a threatening manner. A photo posted by police showed three guns that were recovered from the property.
The rescued dogs were taken to CARE STL, which said it was already over capacity but set up temporary crates and kennels for the dogs. The shelter said anyone who wants to support the dogs can volunteer to foster or donate to their fundraiser.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
