Editor’s note: Descriptions of the conditions of the animals found may be disturbing to some people.
The University of Mississippi’s vice chancellor for student affairs has been placed on leave while she is facing 10 counts of animal cruelty, the same charges that are levied against her husband.
Charlotte Fant Pegues turned herself in to the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department on Monday after a grand jury indictment against her was unsealed, according to the Oxford Eagle. She was released on a $75,000 bond.
In early August, Fant Pegues’ husband, Terry Pegues, was arrested after deputies observed several malnourished and deceased dogs, some still attached to collars and chains, at a property the couple owns in a rural area south of Oxford.
Pegues previously told Mississippi Today that he was asking for “a federal investigation due to false facts” but did not elaborate, adding, “just print that.”
Fant Pegues was not arrested alongside her husband, but a grand jury ultimately decided to indict her on Aug. 23. The prosecution’s witness was a Lafayette County Sheriff’s Deputy named Joe Quarles.
That’s according to the true bill, which lists 10 counts, each for one dog that was found on the couple’s property, including several bulldog puppies “confined in a cruel manner in a cage behind the residence,” a burned dog, a dog skeleton, and a German Shepard mix that was dead in a kennel.
The sheriff’s department ultimately found 10 deceased dogs and rescued 20. The 10 counts appear to include dogs that were found in various states.
In a statement, Fant Pegues’ attorney, Graham Carner, called the indictment “rushed” and added that her reputation was being unfairly called into question. Since 1993, Fant Pegues has worked at Ole Miss in various roles such as assistant provost and director of admissions.
“Dr. Pegues is not guilty, and we will aggressively defend against these charges,” Carner wrote. “In order not to be a distraction to the University she loves and that has loved her, Dr. Pegues will be taking a period of personal leave. She asks for privacy as she works to preserve her good name.”
Carner has already filed a motion for discovery. He does not appear to be representing Pegues, according to the court docket.
The university confirmed that Fant Pegues was on leave but had no further comment beyond the following:
“The alleged charges did not result from any actions taken at or for the university, and the university is not among the parties involved in the investigation by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department.
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