A United States grand jury has charged a man in Wyoming with felony animal cruelty after he hit a wolf with his snowmobile, taped the animal’s mouth shut, showed her at a bar, and later killed her.
The incident happened on February 29, 2024, near the small town of Daniel in Sublette County. Photos and videos from that night showed the wolf alive but badly hurt, lying on the floor with her mouth taped.
The man, identified as Cody Roberts, had already paid a $250 fine last year for illegal possession of wildlife. At that time, he did not face more serious charges because investigators struggled to find witnesses willing to cooperate.
But after reviewing new evidence, a 12-person grand jury decided in August 2025 that there was enough proof to charge Roberts with animal cruelty.
If convicted, he could face up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Roberts has not commented publicly, and no lawyer has spoken on his behalf.
Wolves in Wyoming
Wyoming law allows people to kill wolves and other predators in most of the state, often by any means. In 85% of Wyoming, wolves are seen as predators and can be hunted or killed freely. Sublette County, where this wolf was killed, falls inside that predator zone.
Even so, animal protection groups, including the Humane Society, have argued that Wyoming’s animal cruelty laws should also apply to wolves.
The case sparked anger last year when pictures of Roberts with the wounded wolf spread widely online.
