SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. (TCN) — A man charged with felony animal cruelty for torturing a wolf in 2024 has been sentenced to probation.
On Feb. 29, 2024, Cody Roberts, now 44, ran over a female wolf with his snowmobile, taped her muzzle shut, and brought her into a bar, where he took photos of himself tormenting the injured animal. The case drew widespread outrage, including calls to boycott Wyoming state tourism.
Roberts pleaded guilty to the charges in March. The Jackson Hole News and Guide reports Roberts was sentenced according to the plea deal on April 8. Sweetwater County District Court Judge Richard Lavery sentenced him to 18 months of probation and a $1,000 fine. In addition, he is required to pay $425 in other fees.
According to the Jackson Hole News and Guide, Roberts’ probation conditions do not allow him to hunt, shed hunt, fish, or drink alcohol. If he violates the terms of his probation, he could face prison time and additional fines. Wyoming Public Media reports Roberts must also abide by a curfew, submit a DNA sample, and comply with requests for blood and urine testing.
Of the sentencing, Sublette County Prosecutor Clayton Melinkovich said, “There are some who are disappointed with the result in this case. The state is not.” Wyoming Public Media reports that he went on to say, “By definition, cruelty to animals is a nonviolent offense. This is not to say that this case did not include violence, but rather the Legislature designates this crime as nonviolent.”
Wildlife advocates present at the sentencing also weighed in. Dagny Signorelli of Western Watersheds Project said, “This outcome spotlights a difficult reality in Wyoming that some forms of cruelty to wild animals are still legal or considered nonviolent. A wolf was deliberately and maliciously run down with a snowmobile, tormented, and publicly displayed while suffering, yet the legal outcome for the wolf’s killer is a plea deal that includes no jail time. At the very least, Roberts should have received a permanent revocation of hunting and firearms privileges.”
Wyoming Public Media reports Roberts has 30 days to appeal the ruling once it is filed.
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