A US teacher has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly feeding a sick puppy to a snapping turtle in front of his shocked students.
Robert Crosland, a science teacher in Idaho, has been accused of using the young dog as part of a demonstration to students in March.
His alleged actions have sparked widespread anger among parents, students and animal rights activists.
"Do we really want teachers killing living animals in front of impressionable junior high students?" asks a petition calling for him to be dismissed, which has gained nearly 190,000 signatures.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) says Crosland is "a bully who should not be allowed near impressionable young people".
However, he's also received support, with some arguing the puppy was dying and letting it be devoured alive was the right thing to do.
"It was a deformed puppy that was going to die anyway. Cros[land] is very much 'circle of life'," parent Annette Salvesen told KSTU-TV.
A pro-Crosland petition has also been launched, asking people to "show our support for the man that taught us science in a new way and truly loves his job".
It has received over 3400 signatures.
The turtle has been euthanised by state officials.
Newshub.
