By Billy Davis

Panola Sheriff Dennis Darby confirmed Monday an investigation is under way about dogs that were allegedly poisoned in the Eureka community.

No arrests have been made, he said.

The sheriff said he could release little information, citing an ongoing investigation that includes other agencies including the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Panolian has learned as many as 10 dogs may have been poisoned with Temic, a potent pesticide used in commercial farming, but Darby did not confirm that.

Batesville veterinarian Justin Unruh said Monday he treated a puppy January 8 that showed symptoms it had been  poisoned with Temic or a similar poison. The puppy was “seizuring uncontrollably” and did not respond to medicine, he said.

A dog poisoned with Temic would suffer seizures before it dies, Unruh said.

“They suffer a lot and they die very quickly. It’s terrible,” the veterinarian said.

The jail log did not show any arrests for animal cruelty.

Conviction for animal cruelty in Mississippi is a felony and carries a maximum three years in prison or one year in jail, with a maximum $500 fine.

There is no minimum punishment according to the Mississippi Code.