A recent incident in Wyoming has sparked outrage after a hunter, Cody Roberts, paraded a wounded wolf in a bar with its mouth taped shut before killing it behind the building.
The shocking image, showing Roberts holding the wolf with red tape around its muzzle while raising a can of beer, has drawn condemnation from wildlife advocates and officials.
Roberts allegedly disabled the wolf by running over it with a snowmobile, but instead of euthanizing it promptly, as required by hunting ethics, he chose to take the animal to his home and then to a local bar. It was only behind the establishment that he finally ended the animal’s suffering.
The actions of Roberts have been met with disgust and anger. Rob Wallace, former assistant secretary for the interior in the Trump administration, called the incident “awful” and emphasized that such behavior does not represent the values of Wyoming, a state known for its wildlife stewardship.
Despite the outcry, Roberts has only been cited for a wildlife violation, as current laws only permit charging individuals with cruelty for cases involving pets and domestic animals, not predators like wolves.
He received a fine of $250, which many critics argue is an inadequate response to the severity of his actions. Adding insult to injury, a family member of Roberts publicly supported him on social media, posting pictures seemingly making light of the ordeal. Such responses only serve to deepen the sense of outrage among those calling for justice for the mistreated wolf.
Animal welfare groups have condemned both Roberts’ actions and the lack of legal repercussions. Scott Edwards, general counsel for Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, emphasized that Roberts’ behavior constitutes animal cruelty and should be treated as such under the law.
Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for meaningful punishment to deter similar acts of cruelty in the future.
This article by Trinity Sparke was first published by One Green Planet on 10 April 2024. Image Credit :Holly Kuchera/Shutterstock.
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