Preston Junior High School turtle euthanized amid reports it ate a puppy

FILE - A snapping turtle sits on the side of County Road waiting to cross in East Montpelier, Vt., Monoday, June 19, 2006. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

PRESTON, Idaho (AP) — Idaho officials have euthanized a snapping turtle at the center of an investigation over whether a biology teacher 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 euthanized it Wednesday.

Meanwhile, law enforcement officials say they stepped up security for three schools in the Preston School District in eastern Idaho this week following vague threats connected to an allegation that the puppy was fed to the turtle March 7 at the junior high school.

There was no school Friday but Preston Police Chief Mike Peterson says officers may return Monday.

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

A prosecutor is investigating.

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