Kansas City woman accused of abusing Roadrunner could be released soon

A Kansas City woman charged with tossing her small dog off a third-floor balcony probably will be released from jail on bond soon.

Kimberly Anderson, 36, has remained in the Jackson County jail since being charged in December with felony and misdemeanor animal abuse and abandonment.

She has been unable to pay $1,000, or the required 10 percent, of a $10,000 bond that would secure her release.

But at a Friday bail hearing, Judge W. Brent Powell said he would release Anderson on her own recognizance if she could qualify for the county’s house arrest program.

Under that program, Anderson must have a place to live equipped with a telephone that can accommodate the county’s monitoring equipment.

Anderson lost her apartment after being jailed, said her lawyer, Carl Bussey. Members of her church have pledged to find her an apartment and arrange telephone service.

Assistant Jackson County Prosecutor James F. Stigall opposed changing the bond.

“The state believes this is appropriate given the nature of this offense,” Stigall said. “This dog was left with both eyes hanging out of his sockets.”

Veterinarians treating injuries to Roadrunner, believed to be a Tibetan spaniel, removed both of his eyes after animal control officers rescued him Nov. 14.

In addition to throwing Roadrunner from the balcony Nov. 9, Anderson is accused of slamming and kicking the dog to the ground, choking him with a leash and then leaving him outside overnight.

Bussey said his witnesses will say otherwise and testify that Roadrunner was hit by a car.

“We have witnesses who will say she loved her dog and would never have done this,” Bussey said.

A spokeswoman at the KC Pet Project reported recently that Roadrunner remains in a foster home and described his recovery as “amazing” and “great.”

Powell said he was concerned that Anderson strictly abide by one condition of her release.

“You will have absolutely no contact with any animals whatsoever,” Powell said.

This story was originally published February 6, 2015 at 2:44 PM with the headline "Kansas City woman accused of abusing Roadrunner could be released soon."