A man in the state of Wyoming in the United States has been sentenced to 18 months of probation for torturing a female wolf. He will avoid prison if he follows the conditions of his probation.
Cody Roberts, a 44-year-old man from the small town of Daniel in Wyoming, was sentenced on Wednesday. A judge found him guilty of felony animal cruelty after he pleaded guilty in March. The case attracted international attention and sparked outrage around the world.
On February 29, 2024, Roberts used a snowmobile to chase and injure a grey wolf in Sublette County. He then taped the animal’s mouth shut. Roberts brought her to a local bar and displayed the injured wolf to people inside.
Later that night, he took the wolf outside and killed her. Photos and videos from that night were shared widely on social media, causing global anger and calls to boycott Wyoming tourism.
People can kill wolves in Wyoming
In Wyoming, wolves are classified as predators and can be killed legally at any time and by almost any method. However, the judge ruled that what Roberts did after capturing the wolf, keeping the injured animal alive for many hours and displaying her, was an act of cruelty and therefore a crime.
As part of his probation, Roberts is not allowed to hunt, fish, or consume alcohol. He cannot enter bars or liquor stores. He must also follow a treatment programme for alcohol use. If he breaks any of these conditions, he could face a prison sentence of up to two years.
The initial response from Wyoming’s wildlife agency was a fine of just $250 for possessing live wildlife. The agency said at the time that animal cruelty laws did not apply to wolves. However, the local county prosecutor disagreed.
The case has raised wider questions about wildlife protection laws in Wyoming.
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