Controversial Wyoming case closes without jail time: Cody Roberts, 44, hit a wolf with his snowmobile in Daniel on February 29, 2024, taped its mouth shut, paraded the injured animal into the Green River Bar (where video showed it barely moving on the floor), then killed it out back. A bar patron’s tip to game wardens sparked the probe; he got 18 months probation after pleading guilty to felony animal cruelty.
Sentence Details
Sublette County Judge Richard Lavery imposed the plea deal terms—no prison (avoiding up to 2 years), a $1,000 fine, and bans on alcohol, bars/liquor stores, hunting/fishing during probation. Initially fined $250 for illegal live wolf possession; a grand jury upgraded to felony. Roberts apologized in court for the regretful actions, citing harm to family and community.
Backlash and Impact
Photos/videos went viral globally, fueling outrage and “death threats” to locals, per reports. It prompted Wyoming’s new “clean-kill” predator law: Wolves can still be run down statewide (except Yellowstone), but survivors require immediate humane euthanasia or face fines/jail. Highlights rural predator control tensions—legal to kill wolves freely, but cruelty crosses lines. What’s your view on the punishment?
