An agriculture teacher at a Florida high school has been removed from the classroom as school officials investigate whether he drowned raccoons in front of students.

The Ocala Star Banner reports that Forest High School teacher Dewie Brewton was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into whether he drowned "nuisance animals" in class.

A school district spokesman says the district had received statements from witnesses that multiple animals were drowned in front of students because the animals were a nuisance to the agriculture program at the school.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also is investigating to see whether any laws were broken.

According to the school's website, Brewton has been the school's agriculture-education adviser since 2006.