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Teacher uses protective dog collar as punishment

Posted at 9:33 PM, May 10, 2012
and last updated 2012-05-10 21:33:39-04

ZEPHYRHILLS, Fl. (WTVR) -- The unusual punishment one Florida teacher gave her  students has administrators growling, and she might lose her job.

Pictures of her students wearing a protective dog collar showed up on Facebook.

The science teacher referred to the collar as the "cone of shame," and used it as punishment.

The teacher told administrations she gave students the option of wearing the cone or sitting at the tardy table when they came late for class.

She says it was inspired by the Disney cartoon movie "Up," and was only meant as a joke.

School officials learned about the incident when students posted pictures on Facebook last month.

One student who wore the cone told the local Tampa affiliate WFLA it was just a fun distraction and wasn't meant to embarrass anyone.

The teacher is appealing the decision to fire her and has hired an attorney.