Cody Roberts. Green River bar. Daniel, Wyoming.

These three will forever be associated with an act of abject cruelty toward an injured wolf — one that Cody Roberts ran over with a snowmobile and then paraded around at the Green River bar (filmed and photographed for posterity) in Daniels, Wyoming.

Like many across the nation (and even worldwide), I was sickened by the photos of Cody Roberts manhandling an injured wolf whose mouth he had duct taped shut. To.make matters worse, he was only fined a paltry $250 for illegal possession of a living wild animal.

Although I was not a wolf advocate, I wanted to do more than donate money and sign petitions. So I learned as much as I could about wolf protection laws and then wrote this post — an open letter urging Wyoming residents to pressure their legislators to improve animal cruelty laws and treatment of wolves in the “predator zone”. (House Bill 0104 or HB0104)

I truly believed that the average Wyoming resident was equally appalled by this case of clear cruelty.

While I had several unpleasant exchanges on social media — mainly along the lines of “Stay out of Wyoming’s business” and/or Wolves are vicious killers who torture their prey ( which makes it ok to torture them???), many like JD Brock (see screenshot below)  acknowledged the wrongness of Roberts’ actions.

There has been some progress in the state’s handling of the situation, mostly due to negative public opinion and the efforts of wolf advocacy groups. The Treatment of Predators working group was formed with the task of improving Wyoming’s existing animal cruelty laws and predator management. In the statement to the group by Governor Mark Gordon, he encouraged “narrow, focused conversations on wanton animal cruelty. Punish unacceptable behavior and deter acts of animal cruelty without interfering with the ability to manage predators.”

At their first meeting on June 25th, it was revealed that Cody Roberts could have been given harsher punishment under current laws. However, in this case, the warden chose to issue a fine of $250.

I am writing now to urge wyoming residents to continue pressuring their legislators to take action. Let them know you won’t let this issue drop until real changes are made to prevent abuse of wolves and other predatory animals.

Key points:

1. It’s time to eliminate the predator zones or amend laws so that ethical hunting standards apply to those zones.

Unethical hunting practices, including the use of  snowmobiles or other motorized vehicles to kill and injured wildlife, should not be allowed anywhere in the state. This is not currently being addressed by the Treatment of Predators working group but it is still on the table.

Update as of 9/12/2024: The Snowmobiles Aren’t Weapons (SAW) Act is being introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Nancy Mace, R-South Carolina, Don Davis, D-N.C., Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and Troy Carter, D-La. It would ban using snowmobiles or other vehicles to directly pursue or run over wildlife on federal land in all 50 states.

2. Ensure that adequate punishment is given when someone violates animal cruelty laws. In the case of Cody Roberts, punishment was at the sole discretion of the game warden. However, these cases should either be judged in a court of law and/or have existing animal cruelty laws be applicable to wild animals as well. Changes in legal wording can make Roberts guilty of low misdemeanor with up to a $1,000 fine and up to six months jail time.This was discussed at the June 25th meeting. Legislators just need to know that this is supported by their constituents.

3. Let legislators know that they can prevent federal intervention simply by taking action to prevent future cruelty. Frankly, I am fine with relisting wolves as endangered species so they can get better federal protection. However, I know that many in Wyoming oppose this idea.

Instead of fighting change, Wyoming legislators should work with wolf/wildlife advocates to make laws that work for your state and make the need for relisting wolves less urgent.

I hope that this horrific incident will be a catalyst for permanent changes in the treatment of wolves in Wyoming. 

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Some good resources:

Wyoming wildlife advocates

Wyoming untrapped

Jonas Black, Hogs for Hope

Representative Liz Storer, chair of the Treatment of Predators working group. Click here for contact info for other members of the Treatment of Predators working group

Sample letter to Senator Wendy Schuler

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