Terry E. Pegues, a 47-year-old Lafayette County resident, was arrested on charges of animal cruelty on Wednesday, Aug. 7 by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office.

On Sunday, Aug 4, the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office responded to a possible animal cruelty case around County Road 418, according to a press release. The responders arrived at the location and saw several dogs that appeared malnourished, as well as several dogs that were deceased yet still attached to their collars and chains.

At the time of the officers’ arrival, no one was home, and investigators were called to the scene, where a search warrant was applied for and granted. Investigators rescued 20 animals, which were taken to a local veterinarian’s office. During the search, however, 10 animals were found deceased, according to the LCSO press release.

Pegues, who was booked on 10 counts of animal cruelty, was given a $75,000 bond by the Lafayette County Justice Court following his arrest. This is an ongoing investigation by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, according to the press release.

Charlotte Fant and husband Terry E. Pegues are listed on the deed of trust for a property on County Road 418. Charlotte Fant Pegues is vice chancellor of student affairs at the University of Mississippi. There are no reports of an investigation into Fant Pegues, nor was she mentioned in the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office press release. 

“University leaders are deeply disturbed and appalled by any instance of animal cruelty,” Director of News and Media Relations for the University of Mississippi Jacob Batte told The Daily Mississipian on Monday, Aug 12. “The university is not among the parties involved in the ongoing investigation by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department, and the university is not aware of any charges against a university employee in relation to that investigation. Given the ongoing nature of the investigation, the university will make no further comment at this time.”