Your state is known for its natural beauty and wildlife but its reputation is being tarnished due to the horrific actions and cruelty inflicted upon a dying wolf by Wyoming resident, Cody Roberts. People across the U.S. and abroad have seen the image of a smiling Cody Roberts holding a half-alive wolf with duct tape around her mouth, prolonging unnecessary suffering after running her down with a snowmobile.
Like many people, I was shocked and angered when Mr. Roberts received a $250 fine for his cruelty. Sadly, Wyoming’s lax animal cruelty laws and its creation of a “predator” zone (House Bill 0104 or HB0104) enables people like Cody Roberts to abuse wolves and get away with it.
Despite national outrage, no real action has been taken. Governor Mark Gordon and the Wyoming Game and Fish commission made brief statements acknowledging the outrage. The Wyoming legislature that created and passed HB0104 remained silent.
I urge the average, honest, hardworking Wyoming citizen to contact the Governor and their congressperson and tell them that HN0104 must be amended to eliminate animal cruelty and unethical hunting practices.
HB0104 has created unethical hunting tactics and encourages animal abuse.
Ethical hunters do NOT condone Cody Roberts’ act of cruelty. Unless HB0104 is significantly amended, people will continue to abuse wolves and other predatory animals without consequences. It is time to set and enforce ethical hunting standards for predatory animals.
Wyoming residents should solve this problem without federal intervention.
Frustrated by lack of action, people outside of Wyoming will pressure the Federal Government to take action such as relisting the wolf as an endangered species. This is not what most Wyoming citizens want. You know your land and how best to manage your wildlife without drawing national condemnation.
Wyoming residents do not condone the actions of Cody Roberts.
Via Facebook, I contacted several Wyoming residents who expressed hatred toward wolves. However, everyone was open-minded and we had civil exchanges (on social media, imagine that….). These same people, including a hunter and trapper, clearly stated that they do NOT condone excessive cruelty as demonstrated by Mr. Cody.
Read “Dear residents of Wyoming, part 2” for updates and additional resources.
From the mouths of real Wyoming residents:
“The saddest part of it all is no one is more upset by the Wyoming incident than real hunters and trappers. We understand how much that set us all back. We do understand the hatred some have for the animal that would lead to that kind of act but we don’t condone it.” – JB, Wyoming
“We might have a little cowboy fun every now and then but we still have ethics and morals.” – TA, Wyoming
“…while I do agree with eliminating wolves outside of the TGMA, I do not condone cruelty or prolonging the death of any animal.” – SM, Wyoming
No Horse Left Behind 