Cody Roberts caused worldwide headlines last year when he used his snowmobile to run down a wolf in Wyoming, only for it to not die, and for the resident to parade the tied-up, injured, and muzzled animal through a local bar for patrons to snap selfies with it. After a while, the patrons got bored, and the animal was dispatched behind the bar in question.
The case shone a spotlight on Wyoming's predator laws, as well as animal cruelty statutes. And while multiple amendments to those laws have been proposed by the legislature, they've all failed as agricultural and ranching lobbies have killed them. Roberts, however, was recently indicted on felony animal cruelty, after receiving only a small fine of $250 after the incident took place.
That case recently had a trial date set for March. But two wrenches have been thrown into the works, as the US House of Representatives recently passed legislation that delists wolves from the Endangered Species Act. It still has to pass the Senate, and for the President to sign it into law, but another issue could be at stake, as the House also recently brought forth the "Snowmobiles Aren’t Weapons Act," last week, which would make Roberts' actions legally liable, and likely face steeper fines and penalties than his current indictment.
