Snapping turtle killed after teacher fed it sick puppy

Officials have killed the notorious snapping turtle, who ate a live puppy allegedly fed to it by a teacher in front of stunned students. Photo / Creative Commons

Officials have euthanised a snapping turtle at the centre of an investigation after a biology teacher allegedly gave it a sick puppy to eat in front of students.

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture in a statement Friday says snapping turtles are an invasive species in Idaho requiring a permit. Officials seized the turtle Tuesday and euthanised it Wednesday.

"Snapping turtles are highly-adaptable, top tier predators in their habitat," the department said in a Friday press release reported by The Salt Lake Tribune. "The public is urged to avoid propagating invasive species or from bringing them into Idaho from other states and countries."

Two parents have said the teacher fed the turtle a sick puppy on March 7. The teacher has not been named.

Many were shocked that the turtle was punished for simply eating, instead pointing the blame at the teacher.

Well now whoever came up with this idea isn't any better than the teacher...wth?

— Ngoc Lieu (@YamiKokennin) March 17, 2018

A ridiculous reaction. Why punish the turtle?

— Doug Lambert (@DougLambert13) March 17, 2018

I guess I don't understand why they had to kill the turtle. The news story gives no real explanation as to the reason. We humans are reckless. We screw up and we punish nature for our mistakes. It's ridiculous. https://t.co/3MvkFBcrhp

— C. Ryan (@CMRyan48) March 17, 2018

Officials considered putting the turtle up for adoption before deciding to kill the reptile.

Meanwhile, law enforcement officials say they stepped up security for three schools in the Preston School District in eastern Idaho this week following threats connected to an allegation that the puppy was fed to the turtle at the junior high school.

A prosecutor is investigating.