Weeks after puppy incident, Preston parents rally behind teacher

Weeks after Robert Crosland went viral, some Preston parents want Crosland back in the classroom.

These parents showed up at a recent school board meeting to urge trustees to reinstate Crosland, who is on administrative leave after feeding an ill puppy to a snapping turtle.

“This teacher has influenced everyone in this room,” said parent Dave Kerr, according to an article by Necia P. Seamons of the Preston Citizen. “We support this gentleman.”

Trustees had no comment, Seamons wrote, since Crosland’s status is a pending personnel matter.

Attorney General Lawrence Wasden’s office is investigating the March 8 incident, to determine whether Crosland should face animal cruelty charges.

Crosland, a science teacher at Preston Junior High School, fed the puppy to the turtle after school, although a few students were present at the time. The incident has drawn a firestorm of protest from animal rights groups, although some locals began banding behind Crosland almost immediately after his story became international news.

**Story originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on May 9, 2018.