Cody Roberts wants animal cruelty case tossed!
We want to share an important update on the felony animal cruelty case against Cody Roberts, based on recent reporting from wyofile.
In February 2024, Cody Roberts captured a live gray wolf and subjected the animal to prolonged suffering before killing it. The incident, which included bringing the injured wolf into a bar in Daniel, WY, sparked national and international outrage. Despite the severity of the act, Roberts was initially cited only for possession of live wildlife and fined $250, highlighting serious gaps in how Wyoming law addresses wildlife cruelty.
Following public pressure, Sublette County Prosecutor Clayton Melinkovich convened a grand jury. In August 2025, the grand jury indicted Roberts on a felony animal cruelty charge. He has pleaded not guilty and now faces the possibility of up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted.
Roberts is now asking the court to dismiss the case entirely. His defense argues that Wyoming law allows predators like wolves to be killed by any means not explicitly prohibited. Prosecutors strongly disagree, stating that this case is not about whether a wolf can be killed, but about the unnecessary suffering inflicted before its death.
A critical pretrial hearing is scheduled for January 28, 2026, when a judge will consider whether the case can proceed. If the motion is denied, the trial is currently set for March 9, 2026.
The hearing will not be streamed publicly. However, you can observe in person at the Sweetwater County Courthouse, Rock Springs, WY, or the Sublette County Courthouse, Pinedale, WY.
The Judge, defendant, and attorneys will appear virtually.
This case has become a test of whether Wyoming’s animal cruelty laws meaningfully protect wildlife or continue to allow extreme acts to go largely unpunished. We are grateful to WyoFile for its continued reporting and will keep our community informed as this case moves forward.
