Lathrop woman charged after euthanization of severely underweight canine

LATHROP, Mo. (KCTV) - A Lathrop woman has been charged after a dog left in her care was found severely underweight and had to be euthanized.

Clinton County, Missouri, Circuit Court records filed on Thursday, Feb. 6, have revealed that Kassandra L. Bernard, 34, of Lathrop, has been charged with animal neglect after a canine in her care had to be euthanized.

A probable cause statement filed by the Lathrop Police Department indicated that around 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 3, law enforcement officials were called to a local home with reports of an abandoned dog.

When law enforcement officials arrived, they said they were let into the home by Bernard who reported the canine belonged to a family member. She claimed she had been providing the dog with adequate care, however, the canine was clearly emaciated.

Investigators said the dog was taken to a nearby clinic for emergency veterinary care. The dog was found to be a 2-year-old yellow lab who weighed around 18 lbs. Despite the best efforts of the veterinary team, the dog was later euthanized due to the severity of its condition. Healthy labs of the same age weigh between 65 and 80 lbs.

A criminal summons was issued to Bernard on Thursday, with an initial appearance expected at 1 p.m. on March 4. No further information has been released.

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