Generic gray wolf image.

A Wyoming man accused of running down a wolf with a snowmobile and later tormenting the animal in a bar has been indicted.

Cody Roberts, 43, allegedly taped the wolf’s muzzle shut before bringing it to the Green River Bar in Daniel on Feb. 29 2024. He later shot and killed the wolf outside the bar.

The Pinedale Roundup reported Aug. 20 that Roberts has been indicted on one felony animal-cruelty charge by a Sublette County grand jury. He faces up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

The incident was widely publicized for weeks afterward, especially as details and images began to circulate via social media.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department publicly acknowledged the incident in April 2024, describing Roberts’ actions as “disrespectful.” Roberts, who had not been identified at the time, was cited by Game and Fish for misdemeanor possession and importation of a live animal, carrying a $250 fine.

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Animal cruelty charges were not possible, the agency explained, because of the way regulations are established in parts of the state, such as Sublette County, deemed “predator zones.”

In these zones, hunters can kill wolves and other predatory animals without hunting tags, as long as kills are reported. There are no safeguards against animal harassment.

However, according to The Associated Press, the 12-member grand jury reviewed enough evidence over the past two weeks to support one animal cruelty charge. (One image shows a man said to be Roberts posing with the wolf, whose muzzle had been taped shut, inside the bar.)

Roberts has not commented publicly on the case.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Wyoming man accused of running down wolf with snowmobile and tormenting animal is charged

Reporting by Pete Thomas, For The Win / For The Win

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