Science teacher who fed puppy to turtle found not guilty

PRESTON — A science teacher who ignited worldwide controversy after feeding a puppy to a snapping turtle was found not guilty of animal cruelty Friday evening.

A panel of six jurors delivered the verdict to a packed courtroom after deliberating less than 30 minutes following the two-day trial in Franklin County. Robert Crosland, the Preston Junior High School teacher, smiled as the verdict was read and afterward spoke publicly for the first time since the March ordeal.

“I would just like to thank all of the support that I’ve received,” he said. “I’d like to thank this community for staying behind me. It’s really what got me through all of this.”

Crosland fed the sick puppy to a turtle named Jaws at Preston Junior High School after hours in front of a few students. Following an investigation by the state attorney general, he was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty.

Shane Reichert, one of Crosland’s defense attorney, admitted that some people might take issue with a snapping turtle eating a puppy but Reichert argued that in the eyes of the law, there is no difference between the dog and a rat or even deer people hunt.

“As we set out from the beginning, we thought the State was going to have a difficult time proving this case beyond a reasonable doubt,” Reichert said.

Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden thanked the investigators and attorneys who worked on the case on behalf of his office.

“As prosecutors, our job is to present evidence to the jury. In this case, Mr. Crosland’s peers in Franklin County did not find the state proved guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. I appreciate the jurors’ attention and respect their decision,” Wasden said in a prepared statement.

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