Preston teacher pleads not guilty to animal cruelty charges

Preston biology teacher Robert Crosland appeared in Franklin County Magistrate Court to enter a plea to misdemeanor charges of cruelty to animals.

Crosland pleaded not guilty to the charge. Judge David Hooste scheduled a trial for October 26. A pre-trial conference was set for October 9.

The teacher was accused of feeding a sick puppy to a snapping turtle he kept in his classroom.

The case is being prosecuted by the Idaho Attorney General’s Office after the Franklin County Prosecutor recused himself from the case.