Sign: Hunter Tortured Injured, Duct-Taped Wolf At Bar Before Fatal Shooting

Published: April 08, 2024 at 07:46 PM Author: PENNY EIMS

Daniel, Wyoming – A Wyoming hunter has found himself at the center of public disgust and outrage for torturing an injured wolf before killing the animal behind a bar.

The man at the center of the controversy is 42-year-old Cody Roberts.

The firestorm of outrage stems from the February 29 incident when Roberts allegedly ran over the young wolf with a snowmobile, causing enough injury to the animal that he was able to capture it. Roberts proceeded to take the wolf home, where he wrapped the snout with red tape before heading to the Green River Bar to show off his injured and muzzled “prize.”

The images from the bar are heart-wrenching – Roberts is beaming while the injured, muzzled young wolf sits by his side, terrified and in pain, waiting for life to end.

Though killing a wolf is legal in the county, torturing a wolf is not. According to the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, Roberts was cited for a misdemeanor violation of Wyoming Game and Fish Commission regulations, Chapter 10, Importation and Possession of Live Warm-Blooded Wildlife. The citation carried a paltry $250 fine.

Wayne Pacelle, President of Animal Wellness Action, commented on the abhorrent incident, explaining why the barbaric cruelty must be punished:

“The man who committed this atrocious act of animal cruelty cannot go without punishment under state or federal law, or both. Running over and crushing an animal with a snowmobile, binding the battered and wounded animal’s mouth shut, and deciding to further torment the creature in front of an audience rather than putting him out of his misery is the textbook definition of malicious cruelty. A remorseless, cruel monster like this is a threat to other animals and a threat to people. The law must speak.”

As reported in the Colorado Sun, Wolf biologist Doug Smith reviewed the video footage and believes this was a yearling born in 2023, making her just nine months of age when she was tortured and killed. “It’s recovering from severe injury, and it’s probably got internal organ damage,” Smith told WyoFile, “The fact that this wolf should be freaking out — and it’s not — indicates it’s in pain and badly injured.”

Not only was this magnificent young animal’s life prematurely snuffed out, but she was tortured and tormented in the process. If you are disgusted by what this wolf suffered through on February 29, please add your name to the petition. Animal Victory is fighting for change! Unethical hunting practices MUST be brought to an end, and what this regal animal endured should NEVER happen to another living creature.

In the words of Aldo Leopold, the father of wildlife management:

“Ethical behavior is doing the right thing when no one else is watching – even when doing the wrong thing is legal.”

Wildlife protection laws must be created and enforced for the Cody Roberts of the world. The people who do not behave ethically. People who do the wrong thing just because they can.

We, the undersigned, demand that Cody Roberts face more than a misdemeanor violation for the torture and torment of a young wolf. This petition serves as our collective endorsement for Roberts to face the actual consequences of his actions. Together we will fight for wildlife protection. Animal cruelty is animal cruelty, regardless of whether the animal is domesticated or wild. 

Animal Victory is petitioning Mr. Clayton Melinkovich, Sublette County Attorney, at  clayton.melinkovich@sublettecountywy.gov, for felony animal cruelty charges, and Governor Mark Gordon, with our demand for better wildlife protection in the state.

Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

News:

Cowboy State Daily

Daily Mail

New York Post

Update 6/26/2025: WE WON’T FORGET WHAT YOU DID, CODY ROBERTS!

Our hearts go out to Hogs For Hope and their passionate fight for wolves. We are so proud of your accomplishments!

❤️❤️❤️🐺

Meet Maria Propieti. B.S., M.S.T., J.D., Ph.D.ATTORNEY and COUNSELOR-AT-LAW who provides pro bono legal services for Animal Victory and rides with Hogs For Hope.

Maria writes: “Hi, Janelle and Jan! I hope you’re doing great! I just got back Friday evening from Wyoming for Hogs for Hope, and it was a HUGE success! The link to the video I created: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLGN-F8S54e/?igsh=YTN3djY1dDIwcWMx.

We had about 30 cars and motorcycles. And some of us met with Legislators at the Wyoming State Capitol to try to get the laws changed. I’m so tired; I forgot to mention that we were all from all over the U.S.!”

Maria updates everyone on Hogs to Hopes’ Facebook Page.

Hogs for Hope is NOT against meat-eaters, all Wyoming residents, humane hunting, or humane ranching. Hogs for Hope is against animal cruelty/torture and those who support it…period.

Most, if not nearly all, of Wyoming residents do not support Cody Roberts’ actions, and therefore, should not be harassed.

FOLLOW HOGS TO HOPE HERE

Update 7/1/2024: Photos from the rally in D.C.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8xbcZ8REax/?igsh=MWhzaDBqaGdraDFlcA%3D%3D

Update 6.10.2024: Wildlife groups will be riding their motorcycles to D.C. in less than two weeks to rally to get wolves relisted under the Endangered Species Act on account of this situation.

Update 4/27/2024: Reporter Paul Mueller uncovers potential conflict of interest between Cody Roberts’ trucking company and the Game and Fish Commission. See video below.

Update 4/18/2024: On 4/18/24, Sublette County Attorney Clayton Melinkovich contacted Animal Victory to let us know that has unable to “speak with specificity or discuss” his intentions moving forward “as that kind of information could hinder any investigation and infringe on a person’s due process rights they are guaranteed under the United States and Wyoming Constitutions.” He added, “Both Sheriff Lehr and I have taken oaths of office to uphold the United State and Wyoming Constitutions and have our own ethics and rules of professional conduct by which we must abide. Please know that the fact that Mr. Roberts has not been charged with a crime by this office at this time does not mean that Sheriff Lehr or myself are not doing our jobs.”

Update 4/15/2024: Outrage is skyrocketing as people around the world learn about Cody Roberts’ cruel antics at the Green River Bar. More footage of the February 29 incident has been released; Roberts can be seen kissing the dying wolf, mocking the animal’s pain and misery. The wolf, grievously wounded after Roberts ran him over with a snowmobile, was made to suffer at the bar for hours before his life was ended. 

The growing outrage is putting pressure on the Sublette County Attorney and Game and Fish; the agencies are actively investigating to see if felony animal cruelty charges are warranted. Animal Victory has sent the petition to Clayton Melinkovich, the Sublette County Attorney, and Sublette County Sheriff K.C. Lehr. We will continue to pursue this situation until justice is served for the wolf who suffered at Cody Roberts’ hands. While killing a wolf may be legal in Wyoming, allowing a wounded animal to suffer for hours, exploiting its agony for entertainment, falls into a moral gray area. We are advocating to make such actions illegal—it must never happen again to another wild animal.

Update 4/15/2024: This petition has been sent to Governor Mark Gordan, Sublette County Attorney Clayton Melinkovich, Sublette Sheriff K.C. Lehr, and Kate G. Mckay, District Court Judge.  We will continue to send signatures.

Hunter Tortured Injured, Duct-Taped Wolf At Bar Before Shooting Him

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Latest Signatures
23,936 Phillip E. 0 Jun 28, 2025
23,935Anonymous 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,934 Holly J. He MUST serve jail time and pay a bigger fine! 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,933 Lou A. Punish Cody to the fullest. There should be no room for animal abuse. Cody should be ashamed of himself and any official that thinks this sadistic treatment of any animal is ok 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,932 Kim A. This is heart wrenching pure sadistic abuse 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,931 Edwin R. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,930 Geraldine M. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,929 Michael S. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,928 Lenny I. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,927 Kathleen M. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,926 Joseph Ralph B. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,925 Michael K. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,924 Michael K. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,923 Mary Elizabeth K. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,922 Mary K. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,921 Kathleen K. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,920 Brian K. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,919 Angela K. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,918 Wendy G. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,917 Genevieve B. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,916 Raymond L. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,915 Fay B. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,914 Maureen R. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,913 Gina D. That man is a sick cruel individual who got away with heinous abuse and killing of an innocent creature. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,912 Margaret T. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,911 Joseph B. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,910 Mary Helen B. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,909 Emily S. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,908 C C. Do the same to the perpetrator; punishment deserved! 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,907 Nuel J. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,906 Lisa F. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,905 SANDRA H. This man is proud of torturing an innocent animal. He should be put away for a very long time, NOT JUST FINED!!! He has no idea of morality and will receive his justice someday at the hands of God. What a cruel idiot he is!!! 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,904Anonymous 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,903Anonymous 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,902 Stephanie W. We all have an individual moral compass and know right from wrong. Whether we follow it or dismiss it altogether is a personal choice and shows the world who we really are. This disgusting, cowardly POS who took such delight in torturing and killing such a beautiful, wild animal is a DISGRACE TO THE HUMAN RACE. The fact that it was such a young pup shows what a total creep he is - it's like torturing and killing a child instead of an adult you shithead!!! Aren't you just such a man, you freaking ugly POS!!! I'm ashamed that people like you walk around and breathe - I hope you don't for long. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,901 david c. Fkn idiot ,hes proud and smiling he tortured an animal. Like to see the same done to him 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,900 Ken S. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,899 STOP ALL A. BURN DOWN THAT USELESS REDNECK BAR-DURING "HAPPY HOUR" BURN DOWN CODY-THE-CUNT'S HOUSE THEN DESTROY EVERY TRUCKER WHO WORKS FOR THIS USELESS WASTE OF AIR'S TRUCKING COMPANY C ROBERTS AS THE STATE OF WYOMING WITH ITS PITIFUL STUPID REDNECKS RUNNING/RUINING IT WILL PRAISE THIS IDIOT NOT CONDEMN HIM!! STREET JUSTICE NOW!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! GET THESE USELESS KNUCKLE DRAGGING IGNORANT PRIVILEGED WHITE WYOMING CUNTS OUT OF THE DARK AGES-USELESS DRUNK! HOPE YOU DIE SLOWLY PAINFULLY AND KNOWING WE HATE YOU. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,898 Christine V. Animals feel pain and fear and love and they deserve so much better from us. Have you ever loved an animal? A pet?? I beg you to consider that, and imagine what this poor creature endured. Please. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,897 Dolores P. Cody Roberts is a disgrace ... and sick. Go Hogs! 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,896 Constance C. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,895 jeannette s. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,894 Rosemarie H. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,893 Veronica H. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,892 Denise C. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,891 Debbie C. you are a POS bully and should rot in hell 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,890 Roberta S. This is sick and DISTURBING on so many levels! This evil bastard gleefully TORTURED this beautiful innocent animal for more than 12 HOURS, then murdered him! It is an OUTRAGE that he would only get a $250 fine!! HE DESERVES PRISON TIME!!! 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,889 Liz H. This sick and heartless monster should be punished should this horrific act. God only knows what else he's capable of. 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,888 Lynn O. NO animal deserves to be mistreated, abused and/or tortured and if a human does this they deserve to be punished to the fullest extent of the law. I am appalled at the terrible treatment some humans feel they can inflict on innocent animals. They must be held accountable and suffer dire circumstances for their crimes. The plight of this poor wolf pup in Wyoming is a prime example of disgusting thinking and behavior and must be fully punished for!!! 0 Jun 27, 2025
23,887 Frédérique B. 0 Jun 27, 2025