Sublette County Sheriff K.C. Lehr didn’t know about an ugly mid-winter incident involving allegations of a tortured wolf in his jurisdiction until he read about it online in the last few days.
The cruel capture, display and delayed killing of the wolf was investigated by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, which did not publicize what happened — or even bring sheriff’s deputies into the loop.
“They investigated, they found there was a violation,” Lehr said. “Granted, it was a slap on the hand for what seems to have happened.”
Lehr took off his sheriff’s hat, telling WyoFile that as a person he was aghast by the alleged details of the incident he’s read online: That the wolf was run down by a snowmobile, disabled, its mouth taped shut, then was brought into the Green River Bar in Daniel for cheap thrills before being shot behind the establishment. Those details have not been independently confirmed by KHOL Jackson Hole Community Radio and WyoFile.
“I don’t have anything to substantiate [the details],” Lehr said. “But if it did go to that extreme, not as a sheriff but as a hunter, as a resident of Sublette County, I find those actions very disturbing and unethical.”
“Can there be additional charges?” he added. “I’m looking at that right now in consultation with our county attorney.”
News of what happened to the wolf broke late last week in a report from KHOL. An anonymous tip received by Game and Fish and investigated by warden Adam Hymas on March 1 led to a probe that determined Daniel resident Cody Roberts possessed a live wolf on Feb. 29.
Roberts declined an interview with KHOL, hanging up on the reporter. WyoFile also sought an interview with Roberts at his residence, but he was not home.
Fielding questions over email last week, Game and Fish spokeswoman Breanna Ball told KHOL that Roberts had been hunting when he came across the wolf in the “predator zone” — where there are virtually no rules on how and when wolves can be killed. Instead of killing it, however, Roberts transported the wolf alive to his residence and later a business in Daniel.
According to the state’s account, he then “euthanized” the wolf and turned over its hide to Wyoming investigators.
Five days after being cited, Roberts paid a $250 ticket for violating laws prohibiting the possession of live wildlife, according to Sublette County Circuit Court records. It was a bondable offense, meaning that by paying the ticket he negated the need to appear in court and that was the extent of Roberts’ legal case, now marked “closed.”
Other details confirmed by officials who investigated the incident are few. Game and Fish canceled a planned interview with KHOL last week before the story broke and denied WyoFile’s request to talk to anybody at the agency, stating that further questions have to be submitted in writing. Follow-up questions submitted by KHOL have gone unanswered for over a week. Wyoming Public Records Act requests submitted by KHOL and WyoFile as of Thursday morning have not yielded any new official information.
But late Tuesday, the Cowboy State Daily published new alleged details, claiming it had verified the information with anonymous sources. According to the website, Roberts ran the wolf down with a snowmobile, a legal-in-Wyoming practice that lawmakers have tried and failed to prohibit. The report also included details about how the wolf was brought inside the Green River Bar with its mouth taped shut before being killed behind the small town tavern.
After that, the incident went viral. A London-based tabloid, the DailyMail.com, took information from the Cowboy State Daily and lifted photos of Roberts from his Facebook page, an account that was subsequently disabled.
By midday Wednesday, the phone lines at Green River Bar were ringing regularly with upset people from around the country, a WyoFile reporter who visited the establishment observed. Some patrons were upset that one man’s actions were fueling outrage that was being directed at the bar.
Condemnation of the wolf-torturing allegations swirling well beyond Sublette County is coming from almost everybody who hears of it — not just animal rights activists.
“To me, that does not represent sportsmen, it doesn’t represent hunting,” said Bob Wharff, a former state representative from Evanston who used to preside over the Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife — a group that advocates for wolf hunting.
“That’s just a bonehead thing to do,” Wharff added. “In no way, shape or form is that cool, I don’t care what circle you walk in. That’s not appropriate.”
Other well-known hunters who caught wind of the incident likewise denounced Roberts’ alleged actions.
“I don’t know that anybody could look at [that incident] and say, ‘This is good for the future of hunting.’”
Randy newberg
Randy Newberg, a wolf hunter who hosts popular hunting podcasts and television programs, told WyoFile that all wild animals deserve respect. The Montana resident worries that these types of incidents hurt the cause of hunting generally.
“It diminishes the very valid claim we have for being some of wildlife’s greatest allies,” Newberg said. “I don’t know that anybody could look at [that incident] and say, ‘This is good for the future of hunting.’”
Lehr, the Sublette County sheriff, said that the incident hurts Wyoming’s case for managing controversial large carnivores.
“With wolves, with brown bears, this definitely could set the state back,” he said. “It already has. I’ve taken calls from New York, New Jersey, Colorado.”
Non-hunting wildlife advocacy groups are already making plans to pursue policy changes in response to Roberts’ actions.
Lisa Robertson, who founded the Jackson Hole-based group Wyoming Untrapped, told WyoFile that she’s going to try again to prohibit the practice of running over coyotes and other species like wolves with snowmobiles.
“We need to immediately do something about this,” Robertson said. “We have a draft bill ready to go.”
“It may not happen — it’s Wyoming — but I think everybody can agree this was one of the most horrible incidents we’ve ever seen,” she added. “No living being deserves to be tortured on purpose.”
Wyoming’s animal cruelty laws are another realm of the statute books Robertson wants lawmakers to strengthen.
Additional prosecution of Roberts is looking unlikely, Lehr said, because the current statutes mainly apply to household domestic animals and livestock. There’s even a clause in the animal cruelty laws that states they shall not prohibit the “hunting, capture, killing or destruction of any predatory animal or other wildlife in any manner not otherwise prohibited by law.”
“Right now, I don’t know if there’s anything else he can be charged with,” Lehr said. “However, I’m working with the county attorney to see if animal cruelty would apply — if that’s a possibility.”
This is so disturbing on so many levels. Im heart broken for that beautiful 9 month old wolf pup. A bar full of people laughing not a person with the fortitude to standup and tell him to stop. I know Wyoming prides it self on being the “Wild West” against heavy Federal Gov telling them what to do. It’s now obvious you can’t manage yourself. Those animals belong to all Americans they are part of our history and natural resources. You don’t own them. The brutality towards wild life is rampant. Understand that chasing with a snowmobile and driving over them is common. . . It’s allowed. Americans are good people we don’t stand for this behavior.
I’ve been in contact w Sen Barrasso and Rep Hageman’s offices. They don’t seem to be on board w changing animal cruelty laws although Barrasso put out a condemnation of the event. Maybe that needs to be directed at state legislators? I want to help.
The inhumane treatment of this beautiful animal is almost to much to comprehend. The lack of consequences is as well. Cody Robert’s and the others involved need to know their actions will not be condoned or tolerated. Please make an example of Cody and what will happen to anyone in the future that shows such blatant disregard for life. I and my family will avoid Wyoming until they can show themselves to be a more advanced society.
wolves should be introduced into central park that area was lobo territory long before the mayflower landed so historically it should be made into a wolf sanctuary
Make an example of Cody Roberts and charge him in civil court. Hit him in the wallet (eg, 2000.00) and make him think twice before his disregard for life of any form results in cruelty. Make him an example and develop zero tolerance for cruel behavior. Gain the respect of the 49 states by becoming a leader in wildlife respect. Protect wolves again because it is obvious at this time they are not valued as an important part of the ecosystem.
all public parks in every city in the usa should have designated areas for the sanction and preservation of the wolf — it is not the responsiblity of the agriculture businesses to feed and care for the wolves — the pubi\lic should accept what the preach
This is completely inhumane. This should be illegal. How can you run over the wolf , than injured tape it mouth shut, torture it. Can you imagine the pain it was in. The people of this town are despicable. A wolf hunts because it needs to survive. This man exhibited a mental health disorder. How is he allowed to have a gun?
Why was the wolf ever listed as “predator” in the vast majority of the state? There are ways for game and fish to protect livestock from individual incidents without opening a free-for-all, with outcomes like this one. A managed hunting program with quotas and license draws would provide a large income for the state and provide a management option for the control of CWD and punishment for idiots like this.
Because it’s not profitable for the state. Before wolves were delisted from the endangered species list, they would thin out the wolves so Elk hunters would have a better chance of getting an Elk because that is what wolf packs hunt for food. Elk and deer the main animal wolves eat. Then there are just people who hate wolves for being exactly what they are. If it were a human being we would called it racism. What you should be asking is why those watching it happen are not being prosecuted along with him. The bar should lose its liquor license and be shut down and fined for allowing that to go on in their establishment and on their property. Anytime someone sees things like that and does nothing to help, at the very least call the authorities it dehumanizes them and if the individuals that are doing the act push the limits again and next time it could be another human being. Look at serial killers, I’ve studied them and the one thing they all have in common is that they tortured and killed animals first.
Wolves also are God’s creation and should not endure torture, being dragged into a bar with their mouths taped shut, while being tortured more. These are not manly actions, but bespeak of cruel, schoolyard bullies!
I am not a wolf supporter here in Wyoming but this incident makes me sick and angry. Yes I would say the good ole boys in the legislature need to improve the laws against all animal cruelty, predator or not. We don’t need to be running any animal down with any motorized machine. Humans are sick in the head. Life deserves respect no matter what species.
Utterly vile to torture any living being and shows the atrocities that states like Wyoming allow to perpetuate and validate violence in an unconscious and unruled state.
The identities of people, who with intent torture any living being is necessary so that all people in their communities may know the danger of them and keep distance.
These atrocious acts must be known to the public so we can alter laws and place protections against such crimes.
Hunting is allegedly a noble occupation. Wolves, coyotes and foxes are not beings of nourishment for a human, nor should they be of sport hunted, nevertheless tortured by a sadistic persons ill needs, but respected members of a shattered and crumbling ecosystem.
Agree, always thought I would love to visit someday, after seeing the photos of this wolf being abused in the Green River bar, Daniel Wyoming, Cody Roberts, of C. trucking, and seeing the people who were the customers, not a chance, Wyoming should be avoided.
“We’re terrible animals. I think that the Earth’s immune system is trying to get rid of us, as well it should.”
I am sickened by this, and by the realization that running down wildlife with snowmobiles appears to be a decades-old practice. Please, folks, if you know someone who does this, encourage them to stop! It doesn’t reflect well on all the decent folks who enjoy our great Wyoming landscape.
Disgusting and cruel. Prosecte this cowardly Cody moron.
Cruelty is cruelty. Animal abuse is animal abuse. Most Wyoming sportsmen and women live by a code of ethics. This cruelty violates that code of ethics and it gives everyone in Wyoming a black eye. It was bad enough the guy did but then he showed off about it.A total lack of morals and good judgement.All animals should be respected and treated with dignity no matter what role they play in our lives–even animals we hunt. The Wyo Game and Fish Dept. used to come to our school when I was a kid to teach us about animals and how to value wildlife. What is the world coming too?
This incredibly disturbing incident speaks to our society’s desensitization to torturing and exploiting sentient beings. The man who committed what should be a crime speaks to wildlife agencies, in Wyoming and other states, acceptance of and support for cruel and inhumane treatment of animals. This is so unacceptable and appalling. That man’s behavior is that of someone who is psychologically disturbed. Was there not a single person in that bar where the wolf was being exploited with the courage to stand up to what was happening?! Furthermore, it is disturbing to hear that there is basically no limitations on how predatory animals can be killed in Wyoming. Apparently, running down a creature to exhaustion, torturing it, then slaughtering it is okay? Wyoming Game and Fish must change their regulations and stop supporting rhetoric that demonizes wolves. Furthermore, I hope some attorney out there is strategizing a way to put that poor excuse for a human in jail, increase his fine, and take away his hunting license. This is upsetting and wrong and should shift the status quo in Wyoming. These regulations are supporting the devolution of our species.
This makes me so sad to think that someone took pleasure in making an animal suffer a long painful death. There really is a special place in hell for people that have lost their humanity compass .
Shooting wolves or any other animal hardly constitutes respect. Randy Newberg’s claim that killing wildlife somehow conserves the animals being destroyed is patently absurd. Hunters pay for a small fraction of wildlife management but do most of the killing. I very much doubt that any wolf killer would want to be “conserved” in the same way.
This reporting illustrates the grim reality of so-called “wildlife management” in the state of Wyoming. The culture of animal abuse in the Cowboy State is a national disgrace and the harms inflicted are too obvious to ignore.
This is horrible. That people can run down coyotes and wolves’ w/snowmobiles is horrendous. This should not be allowed to happen. There are just too many acts of violence and abuse to animals in this state. To often a slap on the wrist is all that’s done. We need to toughen up the laws in Wyoming against animal abuse including the abuse of livestock and domestic pets. To many people consider it “fun” to torture and abuse livestock, domestic pets and wildlife.
It’s a well-known fact that people that torture animals abuse people. Wonder if this sadistic individual has any family. And why is it that the majority of abusers are mostly XY?
I’m a life-long Wyoming resident and I’ve hunted all my life. It makes me sick to my stomach knowing that someone could chase an animal on a snowmobile to the point of exhaustion and then kill it or capture it. It’s my understanding that this is common practice in Wyoming – snowmobilers doing the same thing to coyotes, running them until they can run no more and then running over them with the snowmobile, killing the animal. The people that commit these unthinkable acts have no soul. They are in-human. I hope there is a special place in hell for those that commit these horrific acts and have no respect, feelings, or compassion for wild animals.
Agree completely Bruce Lawson.
Thank you for reporting this story. Most people are unaware of how Wyoming treats wolves and other apex predators. In Wyoming, you can run over wolves and torture them. Hopefully, this outrage continues and Wyoming changes their laws or loses control of their right to (mis)manage wildlife.
This is wrong on so many levels, he had no right to take that animals life the way he did , and to just fine him 250$ is ludicrous, there should be laws against this , they should apply just like killing a elk or deer out of season!! He should have his rights for hunting anything taken away ! This animal was tortured and god knows what else ? And he just gets a 250$ fine !!! Just because it was a wolf doesn’t give the right to do what he did ! Please do your job and give him what he deserves, no animal should have to suffer the cruelty this one did !! I’m Native American and this truly makes me sick to my stomach!
You can’t make more laws to fix stupid.
I mourn for my home state.
There was a time when Wyoming stood tall as a place where the people cared for the land and its wildlife. Sadly, that appears to no longer be the case.
Maybe this will mark a turning point? One can only hope…
The practice of riding down coyotes with snowmobiles in Sublette County has been going on for decades. The difference this time is a wolf got caught out in the open, where it could become a victim. Wyoming needs to change it laws or develop new laws that absolutely discourage such practices. And then enforce them. The cruel manner of killing the wolf and its display for his cronies is not surprising for Wyoming and for certain other Western states. It’s why State agencies should not be managing threated or endangered species programs.
Let’s not forget that now a days people put tracks on their ATVs and side by sides for over the snow travel. Agreed, Wyo G & F needs to address this issue, it’s not just Sublette County where it happens. I’ve seen elk run down and shot in remote areas that the hunter never would have ventured into cause they would have had to walk. In non snow times, E-Bikes are becoming a popular tool to use in hunting. Wyo G & F is an enabler by creating such long shoulder hunting seasons that last thru the end of January. What does it say about us as a society if we believe that anything other than fair chase is acceptable, and God help us if there are still people out there that think what Cody Roberts did was OK.
The practice of riding down coyotes with snowmobiles in Sublette County has been going on for decades. The difference this time is a wolf got caught out in the open, where it could become a victim. Wyoming needs to change it laws or develop new laws that absolutely discourage such practices. And then enforce them. The cruel manner of killing the wolf and its display for his cronies is not surprising for Wyoming and likewise for certain other Western states. It’s why State agencies should not be managing threated or endangered species programs.
Running down a wolf with a snowmobile is wildlife harassment which is definitely illegal. The problem is you have to be able to prove it in court. A story told at the bar does not count as evidence.
Disgusting. Lets use this to change some laws. As a lifelong hunter please do not confuse him with those of us who are ethical. I hope each of you pass this story along and contact your legislators.
The Wyoming Game and Fish official report stated that Roberts “euthanized” the wolf. Are you kidding me?
The term “euthanized” is outright complicity. This was premeditated torture and an execution-style killing. Ethics? Not even close.
Animal cruelty is despicable because in the end of the day it shows that they don’t care for their animals and their safety precautions because if they did care about their animals and well being they wouldn’t be doing these heinous actions.
Wolves kill to feed themselves and their families. Ranchers and hunters kill wolves out of revenge for losing cattle they raise for profit, or elk they kill for bragging rights. Trophy hunting and ranching, which cold bloodily exploit fellow living beings, are root causes of this incident. Such sadism for sick pleasure is just the epitome of how bad things can get when ranchers and hunters project their own evil on to victims. I’ve heard game and fish department staff claim that people who have to live with wolves inevitably come to hate them, but Native Americans lived alongside wolves and had great respect for them. They only killed to survive, and, so, lived on equal terms with predators. Our wildlife should be managed by people who have similar respect. If it were, this horrific act would be punished harshly, instead of with a perfunctory slap on the wrist.
Wolves also kill for sport. Don’t eve eat what they kill Ranchers kill wolves to protect their livelihood. Research it.
Too damn many cows.
Too damn many welfare Ranchers.
Go away we don’t need you. We don’t need meat from cows anyway.
Clean hunting with wildlife is much more healthy, not cows, just lining the pockets of welfare Ranchers.Get
Huh? I would love for you to produce evidence that wolves kill for fun. Only humans do that.
Animal cruelty is animal cruelty whether or not the animal is a wolf.
A horrific abuse and torture event occurred here in Sublette County on February 29, 2024 and the accused, (not alleged), Cody Roberts was only cited a $250 fine for having a live wolf. Here in Wyoming, people cannot be charged or punished for animal or torture abuse of predatory animals. This barbaric behavior will be a huge black eye for future hunters in this state. I would like to suggest that we change that statute so this disgusting behavior does not set a precedence in the future with the unethical “hunters” out here. Whether domestic or wild, animals should be ethically treated. Running down wolves or coyotes on snow machines seems to be quite a sick “sport” among our state. Then abusing and torturing them for their sick amusement before they kill them is unconscionable. This guy needs real punishment but our Wyoming statute allows, and even protects him to legally continue to run over wolves and coyotes and abuse again. This law needs to change now.
The reporters ( all of them ) buried the lede:
Per Wyo Stat. Ann. 23-1-304 (d)(vi) any information regarding wolves taken in Wyoming is not a public record.
When Wyoming wolf management was approved and adopted, this was written into statute by our beholden legislators . Information about wolves is hereby withheld. Public records requests and FOIA’s are neutered. Which is outrageous on several planes . That is the law that needs to change.
Which is all I have to say on the topic at the moment. I feel my blood pressure going up…
It may not be a public record, but the events and the actions taken by G&F can be disclosed. I suggest a large group continue to demand information from G&F concerning the incident. The Governor and the Director of Game and fish as well as the Commissioners can address the issue. They all have attorneys. They all know that issues regarding “Great Public Interest” can and should be addressed.
But if the fools post it on Facebook pages, now it becomes public…….if they commit this crime in a public place, now it becomes public. Someone posted how to get Cody Roberts wife’s email and phone number in a comment on Cowboy State Daily news. Green River Bar gets drug into the fray for letting this idiot in……….neither one of these actions are right.
Wyo G & F has no right in keeping a game & fish violation a secret. Public wildlife, public servants…public laws, public information, period.
Rednecks. It’s why we can’t have anything nice in this state. Plain and simple.
This is just more evidence why Wyoming, and other states, should not be “managing” wolves. Wyoming Game & Fish, a state agency run by and for hunters, is certainly not in a position to deal with situations like this. Punishment for these crimes are light because WG&F cannot afford to offend the paying customers. I have hunted all of my life, but what I see here in Wyoming is a disrespect for wildlife, and an all-out hatred toward predators. And why run them down with snowmobiles and from the air? In Wyoming, the cruelty is the point. Let’s hope that the state’s push to delist grizzlies fails. And this Roberts guy? Karma.
Karma indeed.
Unfortunately, this vividly illustrates the absolute sadism and ignorance of too many of our citizens. And the de facto sadism of negligent officials charged with enforcing the laws.
Your first sentence is spot on. Your second sentence is not. What law beyond what was ticketed was broken? As the article explains well the lack of laws is the problem, not the enforcement. While the act was heinous and cruel, it is shamefully, but not surprisingly, within the law in Wyoming. I suggest you target your ire to the legislators and those who vote for and influence them.
WGFD has everything to do with the laws in place. The legislature always defers to the “professionals” and are too timid to apply any real oversight or accountability. State wildlife management is just official abuse.
I will never visit the State of Wyoming but plenty of you snowbirds are in Nevada. Seems to be nice. Now I don’t think of them as nice from Wyoming. Creeps
Really, you are condemning the citizens of our entire state, when it’s obvious from the comments that the perpetrator is an outlier?
They think they’re tough, noting but a bunch of sadistic beer drinking yazoos, parents never taught them respect. I will NEVER visit Wyoming either. And yes, it reflects badly on the WHOLE state.
You are quite right about the sadism shown in this incident. I fear it is all too common.
The statute exempts from prosecution the hunting, capture, killing or destruction of a predatory animal. It does not exempt the torture, torment or mutilation of a predatory animal. Further, the law is not limited to livestock and pets as demonstrated by the mention of predatory animals in the exemption paragraph. The statute does not define the word “animal.” The man’s acts as alleged could very well be charged as felony animal cruelty if the prosecutor believed he had sufficient evidence. The statute requires that a person commit these kinds of acts knowingly with the intent to cause death or undue suffering.