‘Next time I’ll bring the duct tape’: Family of Wyoming hunter who tortured wolf, paraded it through bar, then shot it from behind DEFEND it — as angry locals demand he be fined more than $250 gets
Relatives of a Wyoming man who paraded a wolf through a small-town bar before shooting him dead are rushing to his defense as locals have expressed frustration that he was hit with a fine of just $250.
Cody Roberts, 42, was cited and fined for being in possession of the live wolf in the town of Daniel on Feb. 29, although he has yet to be formally identified.
So some of the storm of outrage is directed at the agency that handed down the verdict, while photos of Roberts harming the animal continue to circulate.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department claims it is in a delicate position, saying statues related to such cases make releasing information difficult.
Amid this fierce public outcry, Roberts’ family member Jeanne Ivie-Roberts has expressed her support. In a social media post published Thursday, commentators rallied behind her — and his — dubious case.
Cody Roberts, 42, posed with the exhausted animal, smiling brightly as he grabbed it by the scruff of the neck and lifted a can of beer
Amid this fierce public outcry, Roberts’ relative Jeanne Ivie-Roberts – seen here jokingly reenacting the scene wearing a wolf skin – has voiced her support
In a social media post published Thursday, commentators rallied behind her — and his — dubious case
“Absolutely support you Cody Roberts,” one such audience member wrote, responding to a comment from Ivie-Roberts expressing her own “love and support.”
‘Hope all is well. I’ll pray…’ another added, while others posted that Bitmojis sent ‘hugs’.
‘I agree with you Jeanne! I love and support Cody,” someone else added.
‘Support Cody!!’ exclaimed another.
‘I belong with him!!! I’ll bring the duct tape.”
The original post received more than 422 likes and 63 comments within four days of posting, most of which expressed sympathy for Roberts’ situation.
Others, however, conveyed the opposite message, with the director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department telling Cowboy State Daily on Monday that the agency is making no secret of the wolf’s alleged torment and murder.
‘Cruelty should never be tolerated!’ exclaimed one from that school of thought, while others argued that it is legal to hunt such game in Sublette County.
“No reason for that BS behavior!” the commentator added.
The post has racked up more than 422 likes and 63 comments, most of which expressed sympathy for Roberts’ situation
Not long after this photo was taken, witnesses said Roberts dragged or carried the animal through the Green River Bar (pictured) as customers watched
“It sounds to me (as a complete outsider) that he made a bad decision and probably regrets it,” said another. “Let those of you who are without sin cast the first stone.”
A petition calling for a harsher sentence for Roberts also circulated and received 2,242 signatures.
In it, the authors explain how the female wolf – just a yearling – was tortured and killed by the hunter on February 29.
“Cody Roberts was fined a minuscule $250 for ‘being in possession of a live wolf,’” the petition said.
“However, the penalty for animal cruelty in the state of Wyoming is a maximum of 2 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.”
Authors then point out how ”