Wyoming state officials said on Monday that they cannot charge the man who injured a gray wolf and paraded it around town before killing it beyond a $250 citation.
In a statement, Brian Nesvik, the director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, called the incident "disrespectful to wildlife" and "not in keeping with conservation principles or ethical behavior."
According to reports, the incident happened on Feb. 29 when Cody Roberts, of Daniel, Wyoming, ran down a wolf with a snowmobile, which injured the animal. He then taped the wolf's mouth shut, brought it home, and to a bar before shooting it.
The story, first reported by Cowboy State Daily, emerged as rumors of the incident circulated and later a photograph surfaced of Roberts posing with the wounded animal, which observers say is a yearling.
Additionally, court records reportedly show that Roberts paid a $250 fine for a wildlife violation for which he was cited on Feb. 29.
On social media, Cody Roberts' aunt, Jeanne Ivie-Roberts, posed with her mouth taped shut and a wolf carcass and said: "I love and support you Cody." Credit: Jeanne Ivie-Roberts/Facebook
In response, Roberts' behavior was panned by public officials, animal rights groups, private citizens, and even the state governor. Multiple petitions began circulating, demanding that Roberts face felony animal abuse charges.
What's more, attorneys with wildlife groups also sent letters to the prosecutor and sheriff in Sublette County, which is where the incident happened, arguing that the state's animal abuse laws do apply.
However, in the statement, the Game & Fish Department explained that an investigation into the incident "indicated there were no other statutory or regulatory violations."
The reason, according to the statement, is that in the area where the incident occurred gray wolves are legally classified as "predatory animals," which are not managed by the department and are also not protected by state animal cruelty laws.
"The actions and behaviors of the individual involved in this case are not reflective of Wyoming's values for wildlife," Nesvik said, adding, "This incident casts a shadow over our state's proven track record in successfully and responsibly managing our gray wolf population."
