Like many of you, we’ve been distraught over the Wyoming wolf incident that has made national headlines over the last few weeks. Images and videos were published that show a helpless and clearly injured yearling wolf lying on the floor of a bar in Daniel, Wyoming, with her mouth taped shut, patrons laughing in the background, as Cody Roberts (the man responsible for the incident) jokes about the cruelty. Earlier that day Mr. Roberts ran this wolf over with a snowmobile—a practice referred to as coyote or wolf “whacking”—which remains perfectly legal in the state of Wyoming.

We can’t imagine the fear and pain this wolf endured at the hands of Cody Roberts. Separated from her family, chased until exhaustion overtook her body, and finally crushed by a loud, heavy vehicle—she must have thought her life was over. But Cody, acting legally until this point, decided to extend her terrifying experience. She was restrained, her mouth was taped, and she was taken to a bar like a trophy. She was too exhausted, overwhelmed, and injured to do anything more than lie on the floor of the bar. The only crime Cody was charged with was a $250 fine for the possession of a live wolf.  

The visual of Cody Roberts smiling next to a grievously injured, defeated wolf awaiting her death, is burned into all our memories here at Project Coyote, and it serves as a haunting reminder of what wolves and coyotes are subjected to on a daily basis: acts of pure evil. What haunts us even more is that we know this is NOT an isolated event. We consistently bear witness to far too many incidents like this one where wild, sentient wolves and coyotes die cruel deaths at the hands of humans. 

Join us to demand justice for this wolf and all wild wolves. Our promise to you is that we will not waver in our fight for justice, so all wolves can live lives free from persecution and cruelty. But we need your support and action now more than ever! 

Join us in Demanding Justice for Wolves:

1. Sign this change.org petition calling on Sublette County officials to bring more severe charges against Cody Roberts. We need Wyoming officials to hold Mr. Roberts accountable and send a strong message that similar acts of cruelty will not be tolerated and met with harsh consequences.

2. Contact Wyoming State officials urging harsher punishments for Cody Roberts and strengthened protections for Wyoming wolves and coyotes. Please remember to be polite and respectful in your comment.

1. • Governor Mark Gordon, at 307-777-7434,
   • Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director, Brian Nesvick, at 307-777-4600

Sample Script:

Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m from [Your City]. I’m calling to express my deep concern over the recent incident where a wolf was chased by a snowmobile, run over and injured, and then publicly paraded and tortured before being killed by Cody Roberts. 

This unethical and brutal display of animal cruelty was met with a mere $250 penalty, tarnishing the reputation of the state of Wyoming. The $250 penalty for Mr. Roberts’ inhumane treatment of a wild animal is not sufficient— and he must be charged with animal cruelty to ensure that justice is served, and to set the precedent that these heinous acts will be met with harsh consequences. 

I also strongly urge you to support legislative action to ban wolf & coyote “whacking.” The use of snowmobiles and other motorized vehicles to chase and down and kill wolves and coyotes goes far beyond practices of fair-chase and is purely cruel and inhuman; it must end. Please take action to ensure this never happens again. Thank you.

Thank you for standing with us to show Wyoming, and the rest of the country, that we will not allow wolves, coyotes or any wild animals, to be legally tortured. Together, we will create a safer, more compassionate world for all lives.