In a recent article by Katie Klingsporn for WyoFile, it was revealed that Wyoming Game and Fish Department had the authority to pursue steeper penalties for Cody Roberts, who was fined $250 for tormenting a wolf. The agency previously suggested that it had used all tools available, but Director Brian Nesvik acknowledged that Roberts could have faced up to $1,000 in fines and six months in jail. Roberts had allegedly run down a wolf with a snowmobile, attached a muzzle and shock collar, and paraded it before killing it in a bar in Daniel.
The incident sparked global outrage and led to calls for reform of Wyoming’s animal cruelty laws, which currently do not apply to predators like wolves. Game and Fish officials explained that limitations in state law restricted their options in the case. However, it was revealed during a working group meeting that wardens have the discretion to pursue more severe penalties for wildlife violations.
The incident prompted the creation of a working group to examine penalties for predators in Wyoming. Members of the group discussed drafting legislation to prevent animals from suffering needlessly and acknowledged that the handling of the Roberts case may influence future actions by game wardens. The article highlights the public outrage and international repercussions of the incident, which temporarily halted tourism promotion in Wyoming. As discussions on potential reforms continue, the focus remains on ensuring the ethical treatment of wildlife in the state.
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