PRESTON, Idaho, June 2, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — An Idaho science teacher accused of feeding a sick puppy to a large snapping turtle in front of several students has been charged with animal cruelty.
According to online records, the misdemeanor charge was filed Friday against Robert Crosland, who teaches at Preston Junior High School.
If convicted, Crosland faces up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Several parents came forward to report the incident, said to have occurred on March 7. The puppy was terminally ill, according to reports.
Officials seized and euthanized the snapping turtle, which is an invasive species in Idaho, and which requires the owner to have a permit, which Crosland did not.
The Idaho Attorney General’s office is handling the investigation due to a conflict of interest for Franklin County Prosecutor Vic Pearson.
An online petition calling for Crosland to be fired had nearly 189,000 signatures as of Saturday afternoon.
