Wyoming Man Receives Probation for Snowmobile Wolf Killing Incident
A Wyoming judge has sentenced a man to 18 months of probation for hitting a wolf with a snowmobile, bringing the injured animal into a bar, and then killing it. The case has ignited widespread condemnation and scrutiny of Wyoming's predator laws.
Details of the Sentencing and Incident
District Judge Richard Lavery in Pinedale sentenced Cody Roberts, 44, to probation on Wednesday, following a plea deal Roberts reached with prosecutors in February. Lavery also fined Roberts $1,000 and ordered him not to drink alcohol, enter a bar or liquor store, or hunt or fish while on probation.
Roberts avoided as much as two years in prison and a $5,000 fine by pleading guilty. He initially pleaded not guilty, and a trial was set for March before the plea deal was finalized.
Background of the Controversial Case
The incident occurred in February 2024 in Daniel, a town of about 150 people located approximately 50 miles south of Jackson. Photos and video circulated widely showing the wolf with its mouth taped shut and lying on the floor of a bar, alive but barely moving, leading to public outrage.
Roberts told Judge Lavery at his change-of-plea hearing in March that he regretted his actions and apologized to his family and community. He initially paid a $250 fine for illegal possession of wildlife but was later indicted on an animal cruelty charge by a rare Wyoming grand jury last year.
Scrutiny of Wyoming Predator Laws
Wyoming law provides wide leeway for individuals to kill wolves and other predators using various means across most of the state. This case has highlighted tensions between wildlife conservation efforts and local hunting practices, prompting calls for legal reforms.
The probation sentence reflects the judicial handling of such cases under current statutes, but it has sparked debate about the adequacy of penalties for animal cruelty in predator management contexts.
