Fla. teacher accused of drowning raccoons in class

A Florida teacher has been placed on administrative leave after school officials were told that he had students help him drown wild raccoons during class.

A 14-second video published by CBS affiliate WKMG showed a group of students filling a tub of water using a hose and later keeping a trapped raccoon submerged. A mother told the TV station that her son, who shot the video, came home upset about what happened to the raccoons, including the one seen in the video, inside a metal-wire trap.

The animals reportedly had been killing chickens that the students were raising for class.

Two raccoons and an opossum were killed Monday at Forest High School in Ocala, Florida, according to the mother, whom the station did not identify.

The teacher, Dewie Brewton, was placed on paid administrative leave with pay Tuesday while the school investigates, said Kevin Christian, spokesman for Marion County Public Schools. Christian said he couldn’t comment further, saying only that Brewton was placed on leave as part of standard protocol and that district officials did not have previous problems with Brewton in the 34 years he has worked on and off for the district.

In a subsequent statement, the district said it is investigating — but that “regardless of the investigative outcomes, Superintendent Dr. Heidi Maier is recommending termination.”

It’s unclear if the incident involved any criminal acts, but law enforcement officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are also investigating. A separate Florida Department of Health investigation is also underway.

According to the conservation commission’s website, wildlife animals that are considered a nuisance can be caught using live traps, snares or firearms during daylight hours and where they’re allowed. Animals “must be released legally or euthanized humanely within 24 hours of capture or trap inspection,” according to the agency.