A science teacher at a junior high school in Idaho was accused of feeding a puppy to a snapping turtle in front of students after school.
It was not immediately clear if the little pooch was dead or alive when Robert Crosland, a longtime teacher at Preston Junior High School, allegedly fed it to the turtle after class.
“The event occurred well after students had been dismissed and was not part of any school-directed program,” Preston School District Superintendent Marc Gee said in a statement. “We emphasize that at no time was the safety of students or staff compromised.”
He was not cited, criminally charged or placed on leave.
“A part of any investigation includes determining the best course of action once the facts of the matter have been ascertained,” Gee said. “This is not a situation that is easy, nor do we feel it is a measure that can be taken lightly” Said Sheriff Dave Fryar.
Several current and former students said Crosland is a well-liked teacher at the school who kept exotic animals like snakes and other reptiles in tanks in his classroom. Three former students who asked not to be identified said they remember Crosland feeding guinea pigs to snakes and snapping turtles during in-class demonstrations.
But an animal activist who filed a police report in connection to the alleged feeding was not sympathetic, calling Crosland’s actions “disgusting” and offensive.
Parrish said a teacher told her last week that Crosland fed the puppy, who was believed to be disfigured, to one of his reptiles in class: a snake and a snapping turtle.
