Preston Junior High School science teacher Robert Crosland (Pictured) was charged Friday.

An Idaho teacher accused of feeding a sick puppy to a snapping turtle in front of several students has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty.

Preston Junior High School science teacher Robert Crosland was charged Friday.

He faces up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine if convicted.

Superintendent for Preston schools, Marc Gee, told the Idaho Statesman that he heard about the charges and still reviewing the situation.

'Once we have seen the details, we will release a statement for the district,' he said.

The school is in rural Preston, where the 2004 teen cult classic film 'Napoleon Dynamite' was set.

The Idaho attorney general's office handled the investigation after Franklin County Prosecutor Vic Pearson cited a conflict of interest. Several parents came forward to say Crosland fed the puppy to the turtle on March 7 after school.

Crosland is accused of feeding a sick puppy to a snapping turtle in front of several students has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty. He is seen feeding a rat to the turtle in a different class

The school is in rural Preston, where the 2004 teen cult classic film 'Napoleon Dynamite' was set

Several weeks later, state officials seized the turtle and euthanized it as a non-native species. Individuals who want to keep snapping turtles as pets in the state must obtain a permit or face a possible misdemeanor charge.

Superintendent for Preston schools, Marc Gee (pictured), said he is still reviewing the situation

Attempts to reach Crosland at the school Friday were not successful.

The incident has drawn national criticism against Crosland with a petition to have the educator fired circling the internet, garnering more than 185,000 signatures so far.

'Unfortunately, on March 7, [Crosland] decided to feed one of those creatures - a snapping turtle to be exact - a puppy,' the petition reads. 'Please join in demanding that Robert Crosland be fired for this disturbing decision!'

A counter petition signed by community members, former students and current colleagues expressing support for the long-time science teacher has accumulated roughly 3,700 signature, the Statesman reported.

Preston School Board Chairwoman Joy Christensen said that the district will wait for criminal proceedings to conclude before making a decision regarding Crosland's future.