Science teacher accused of feeding puppy to class snapping turtle

An Idaho teacher is accused of feeding a puppy to a snapping turtle. Above, a snapping turtle in London.(DAN KITWOOD/GETTY IMAGES)

An Idaho teacher is accused of terrifying junior high students by feeding a puppy to the class snapping turtle.

Robert Crosland is a teacher at Preston Junior High, near the state's border with Utah, and is under investigation for the alleged demonstration after school was over for the day, according to the East Idaho News.

Local superintendent Marc Gee said in a statement that the event was not part of an school event and that it was “a regrettable circumstance involving some of the biological specimens.”

Former students told East Idaho News that Crosland had previously fed guinea pigs to the snakes he keeps in the classroom, though it was not clear if they or the puppy were alive before the teacher decided to feed them to his reptiles and amphibians.

Robert Crosland is under investigation though school authorities urged parents to remember his years of service. ( PRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT )

A release from the school asked parents be patient during an investigation and remember the “years of care, effort and passion” from Crosland.

Local animal activist Jill Parrish told KSTU that she had filed a police report about the alleged incident.

Parents told the station that the puppy was deformed and going to die soon anyway, with one adding that Crosland was “very much circle of life.”

- ny news