In a shocking incident, a Wyoming hunter named Cody Roberts has caused an uproar after allegedly running over a gray wolf with a snowmobile, taping its mouth shut, posing with it in a local bar, and ultimately shooting it to death behind the tavern. This incident has ignited a public outcry, demanding stiffer penalties for such outrageous cases of animal abuse.

Roberts, 42, was initially fined a couple of hundred dollars for illegally possessing the wolf while it was still alive. However, he has yet to face any punishment for the cruel manner in which he purportedly killed the animal. Wyoming wildlife authorities have kept much of the case hidden under the guise of privacy laws, which protect those who legally hunt wolves in the state.

Despite the state's protection of privacy for legal hunters, there are growing concerns that Roberts's actions blatantly violated hunting ethics and should not be shielded by the laws. Dan Ashe, the president of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, expressed the need for every state to review its statutes to ensure that such acts of cruelty are punishable.

The case has gained significant attention, with over 55,000 signatures on a Change.org petition demanding that Roberts face felony animal cruelty charges. The incident took place on February 29 near Daniel in Sublette county, an area where it is legal to kill wolves since their removal from the endangered species list in 2017.

Instead of promptly killing the wolf, Roberts reportedly transported it to the Green River Bar, where photos were taken showing the wolf's mouth taped shut. Eventually, Roberts brought the animal behind the bar and shot it to death. An anonymous tip to the Wyoming game and fish department led to an investigation into the matter.

The game and fish department spokesperson provided details about the wolf's killing, but did not explicitly link Roberts to the case. The spokesperson mentioned that an individual had been ticketed for unlawfully bringing a live wolf to a business in Daniel before euthanizing it, which carries a $250 fine. Court records show that Roberts received a wildlife violation on February 29.

A disturbing photo emerged, purportedly showing Roberts holding a beer can, smiling while his arm wrapped around the subdued-looking wolf with its mouth taped shut. These images further fueled the public's outrage and intensified the demand for a more severe punishment.

In response to accusations of secrecy and leniency, the director of Wyoming's game and fish department defended the agency's actions, citing the need to protect the identities of legal wolf hunters and manage the state's wildlife population.

Animal rights advocates have condemned Roberts's actions, calling for him to face much harsher consequences than the fine received. They argue that a weak response from law enforcement can be seen as an implicit endorsement of such repugnant behavior, which may encourage others driven by hatred of wolves to undertake similar acts of cruelty.

Efforts to contact Roberts for comment have been unsuccessful, and comments from a relative expressing support have since been inaccessible. The case continues to garner attention as the public demands justice and stricter penalties for egregious acts of animal abuse.

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