A Wyoming man, Cody Roberts, sparked outrage when he captured a wolf, taped its mouth shut, and tormented it by parading it in a bar before ultimately killing it. Roberts, of Daniel, was cited for a wildlife violation for the incident that occurred on February 29. A disturbing photo shows the wolf with red tape around its muzzle as Roberts poses with it in his home. He allegedly disabled the wolf by running it over with a snowmobile, then took it to a bar before killing it outside.
Roberts had the opportunity to legally kill the wolf in Sublette County where the incident occurred, but instead chose to bring it to his home and eventually to a bar. The wounded animal was killed behind the bar by Roberts, as reported by Cowboy State Daily. The graphic nature of the incident drew criticism from wildlife officials and animal advocates. Rob Wallace, former assistant secretary for the interior during the Trump administration, called the incident “awful” and said it was not representative of Wyoming’s commitment to wildlife stewardship.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department received an anonymous tip on March 1 regarding the incident involving Roberts and the wolf. A spokeswoman for the department stated that the individual was hunting when he encountered the wolf in a predator zone, with the intention of harvesting it. However, instead of killing the wolf at the encounter site, he took the live animal back to his home and then to a business. The wolf was euthanized later that day, leading to Roberts being cited for violating wildlife possession laws.
Roberts was fined $250 for the wildlife violation, the only penalty that the Game and Fish Department had the power to enforce. The mistreatment of the wolf was not considered illegal under state law, as cruelty to animals charges typically apply to pets and domestic animals rather than predators like wolves. The incident caused a stir in the local community and among wildlife conservation groups, highlighting the need for stricter regulations regarding the treatment of wild animals.
The shocking nature of the incident involving the wolf prompted calls for increased protections for wildlife and harsher penalties for individuals who engage in such behavior. Animal rights advocates condemned Roberts’ actions and called for stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The controversy surrounding the wolf’s treatment brought attention to the ethical considerations and legal loopholes in current wildlife conservation policies.
The case of Cody Roberts and the mistreatment of the wolf underscored the complex dynamics of human interactions with wildlife and the challenges of balancing conservation efforts with human activities. The incident raised questions about the adequacy of existing laws and regulations governing the treatment of wild animals, particularly in cases where animals are considered predators. Further discussions about establishing clearer guidelines and consequences for wildlife violations are needed to prevent similar incidents and protect vulnerable species like wolves.
